Watthour meter mounting apparatus with safety shield

ABSTRACT

A watthour meter mounting apparatus, such as a socket, socket adapter and the like, has a safety shield completely enclosing the jaw contacts of the apparatus. Slots are formed in the safety shield to allow the insertion of a watthour meter blade terminal therethrough into connection with the jaw contacts. In one embodiment, a socket adapter housing includes front and back plates which are joined together and form a cavity therebetween in which the jaw terminals and the electrical conductors are disposed. Raised receptacles formed in the first plate loosely receive the jaw contacts mounted on one end of the conductors. In another embodiment, an insulating housing is mounted over the jaw contacts in a socket or socket adapter, with slots formed in the housing to allow the insertion of a watthour meter blade terminal therethrough into a jaw contact disposed within the housing. The housing may be formed with one large cavity surrounding all of the jaw terminals or a plurality of separate receptacles, each surrounding at least one jaw contact. The conductors may be formed of rigid bus bar for increased current carrying capability. Each jaw contact can be formed of separate contact clips biased toward each other by separate spring clips riveted to one end of each conductor. A terminal slidably receives the other end of each conductor as well as a line/load external conductor.

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/215,915,filed on Mar. 22, 1994 now abandoned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application describes and illustrates subject matter which isclaimed in a related application filed concurrently herewith, in thenames of Darrell Robinson et al and entitled "WATTHOUR METER MOUNTINGAPPARATUS WITH IMPROVED ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to electrical watthour metersand, more specifically to watthour meter mounting enclosures.

In the electric utility industry, plug-in, socket-type watthour metersare commonly employed to measure electrical power consumption at aresidential or commercial building establishment. A cabinet is typicallymounted on an outside wall of the residence or building and contains ameter socket having pairs of line and load contacts which are connectedto electric power line conductors extending from the utility powernetwork and electric load conductors connected to the residential orbuilding establishment power distribution network. The contacts receiveblade terminals on a plug-in watthour meter to complete an electriccircuit through the meter between the line and load terminals mounted inthe cabinet for the measurement of electrical power consumption.

S-type, socket-type, plug-in watthour meters have replaced older A basebottom connected meters which were formed of a single piece housing inwhich the watthour meter was fixedly mounted along with compressionterminals which provide connection to the utility power lines and thebuilding load distribution network.

In a installation involving an A-type bottom connected meter, an A to Ssocket adapter is used to allow a new S-type watthour meter to beinstalled. The socket type meter has outwardly extending blade terminalswhich are insertable into the jaw contacts in the cabinet of a S-typemeter socket. The socket adapter includes its own set of female jawcontacts which receive the male blade terminals of the S-type plug-in,socket-type meter.

A socket extender adapter used to convert a ringless style socket to aring-type socket has a similar arrangement of contacts and terminals toplug-in to a socket and to receive an S-type, plug-in, socket-typemeter.

While it is typical for a watthour meter, once it is installed in asocket or socket and socket adapter, to remain in service for manyyears, it is still necessary for such meters to be removed for repair orreplacement from time to time as well as to temporarily disconnectelectrical service to a particular customer. During the installation andremoval of the watthour meter from the socket or socket adapter, theelectric power line terminals in the socket or socket adapter remainconnected to the electric utility power line conductors and carrypotential. The utility employee installing or removing the watthourmeter may inadvertently touch such contacts thereby raising thepossibility of injury. Furthermore, an inadvertent short across thecontacts caused by a tool contacting the contacts or a full fault causedby a 90° offset insertion of the meter can cause a spark or flash whichcould damage the watthour meter installation as well as posing asignificant risk of injury to the utility employee. Various flash coversor shields have been devised as separate attachments to cover a portionof the jaw contacts in a watthour meter socket or socket adapter. Onetype of flash cover or shield is shown in FIG. 16 and comprises a clipformed of an electrically insulating material which snaps over the outerend of a jaw contact to cover the outermost portions of the jaw contact.The clip includes a central slot or aperture which is aligned with theslot between the two spring legs of the jaw contact to allow insertionof a watthour meter terminal into the jaw contact while the clip isstill attached to the jaw contact.

A more elaborate flash cover or shield is shown in FIG. 17. This type offlash shield is formed with a flat front cover containing slots whichare aligned with the jaw contacts and receive the watthour meterterminals therethrough. Rearward facing legs extend from the upper andlower portions of the cover and space the cover from the back wall ofthe socket or socket adapter.

Both types of flash or safety shields provide some measure of flashprotection in that they cover a portion of the jaw contacts therebyminimizing the possibility of inadvertent contact with such contacts bythe utility employee or portions of the meter during installation orremoval of the meter from the socket or socket adapter. However, suchpreviously devised flash covers or shields do not completely surroundall exposed portions of the jaw terminals. Thus, such exposed portionsmay still be inadvertently touched by a utility employee or, in theevent of a fault or a short, a spark or flash could still occur.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a safety shield for an electricalwatthour meter apparatus which completely encloses all portions of thejaw contacts in a watthour meter mounting device, such as a socket,socket adapter, socket extender, etc., to prevent inadvertent contactwith such jaw contacts or to prevent a short between such contacts whichcould lead to a spark or flash. It would also be desirable to providesuch a safety shield which can be easily incorporated into the design ofa new watthour meter socket, or other meter mounting device, socketadapter, or installed as a separate component in an existing watthourmeter socket or socket adapter.

In watthour meter socket adapters, solid or stranded conductors areconnected between the jaw contacts and the terminals. While suchconductors can be easily formed to the desired shape so as to extendbetween a jaw contact and a terminal, all polyphase adapter designs haverequired certain of the conductors to be crossed or overlapped. Thisfeature plus the need to allow clearance for the meter feet have limitedthe maximum current carrying capacity of such conductors. It would bedesirable to provide conductors for watthour meter socket adapters whichhave increased current carrying capacity while still being easilymounted in the socket adapter.

It would also be desirable to improve the design of the jaw contacts andterminals employed in a watthour meter socket adapter. In previouswatthour meter socket adapters, the jaw contacts typically have a foldedover design formed of a base wall which is fixedly mounted to the shellof the socket adapter and two spaced side walls extending therefrom. Theouter ends of the side walls are folded over inwardly between the sidewalls and terminate in parallel end flanges which slidably receive ablade terminal of a watthour meter. However, this design presents threedifferent problems. First, the direction of current flow through the jawcontacts is opposed to the direction of current flow from the jawcontacts through the blade terminal of the watthour meter. That is,current flows in one direction through the folded over portion of thejaw contacts and then in an opposite direction outward from the jawcontacts through the blade terminal. This creates opposed magneticfields which increase resistance and generate heat and could possiblylead to a less than reliable connection of the blade terminals to thejaw contacts. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a jaw contactdesign which has less resistance than previous jaw contact designs.

Secondly, the relatively large angle between the folded over portion andthe side walls of the jaw contacts requires a high level of force toinsert a watthour meter blade terminal into a jaw contact. This is duesolely to the angle of the folded over portion of the jaw contacts whichgenerates a sideways force to separate the jaws as well as an axialforce to insert the blade terminal through the parallel end portions ofthe jaw contacts. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved jawcontact design for a watthour meter socket adapter which providesreduced insertion force to mount a watthour meter in the socket adapter.

Thirdly, the removal of the blade terminals of a watthour meter from thefolded over jaw contacts commonly employed in previous socket adaptersalso requires a high level of force. Such a high force is difficult toapply to the watthour meter due to the round glass dome on the meter.The high removable force results from the tendency of the folded overportions of the jaw contacts to tighten since the inner folded over endsof the jaws pulls upward during removal of a blade terminals from a jawcontact. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a jaw contact design fora watthour meter socket adapter which requires reduced watthour meterwithdrawal forces.

Finally, in previously devised conductors for socket adapters, the jawcontacts have been attached to the conductors by threaded fasteners.This involves labor intensive and costly manufacturing operations inorder to prepare the threaded apertures in the conductors and thecontacts and to insert and tighten the fasteners. Thus, it would bedesirable to provide a conductor and jaw contact design for a watthourmeter socket adapter which requires less labor for manufacturing andassembly and thereby has a reduced cost and greater reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an electric watthour meter mounting apparatuswhich includes a flash or safety shield for completely covering allexposed portions of the jaw contacts in a watthour mounting apparatus toprevent inadvertent contact with such contacts by the utility employeeor by a tool which leads to a short circuit or a full fault caused by a90° offset insertion of the meter, both of which causes a dangerousspark or flash.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having a watthourmeter receiving portion and a terminal portion spaced from the watthourmeter receiving portion. A plurality of electric terminals are mountedin the terminal portion and connected to utility power line conductorsand building distribution load conductors. A plurality of jaw-typeelectrical contacts are mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion,each jaw contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in asnap-in connection. Electrical conductors are connected between the jawcontacts and the terminals. Means are formed on the housing forcompletely covering the electrical conductors and the contacts in thehousing.

In one embodiment, the housing is formed of first and second plates, onehaving an annular side wall extending outward therefrom. The first andsecond plates are spaced apart, when joined together, to define aninterior cavity. The electrical conductors are disposed in the cavityand are completely enclosed by the first and second plates and theannular side wall. A plurality of hollow receptacles are formed in thefirst plate and extend outward from the first plate. The interior of thereceptacles opens to the interior cavity between the first and secondplates and receive a jaw contact therein. A slot is formed in eachreceptacle for receiving a blade terminal of a watthour metertherethrough to enable the watthour meter terminal to be inserted into ajaw contact. Each receptacle is formed with closed side walls and anouter end wall to completely surround all portions of the jaw contacthoused therein.

The first and second plates are releasably joined together by joiningmeans formed and mounted on the first and second plates. A pair ofoutwardly extending flanges, each having an aperture therein, are formedon and extend outward from the second plate. The first plate has a pairof clips mounted in spaced recesses which engage the apertures in theflanges on the second plate to releasably join the first and secondplates together.

The watthour meter receiving portion on the second plate is formed witha discontinuity in the annular side wall. Annular flange means areformed on the terminal portion of the first plate for forming acontinuous extension of the side wall of the terminal portion when thefirst and second plates are joined together. The annular flange meansincludes a first annular flange integrally formed with the first plate.A second annular flange is releasably and separably engagable with thefirst annular flange and, when joined to the first annular flange, fillsthe discontinuity in the annular side wall of the second plate.

One jaw contact and one terminal are fixedly connected to opposite endsof each of the plurality of electrical conductors. All of the pluralityof electrical conductors are arranged in a plane in the interior cavitybetween the first and second plates. Preferably, due to the insulatingenclosure formed by the first and second plates around the conductors,the electrical conductors can be bare conductors without any exteriorelectrical insulation.

Means are formed on at least one of the first and second plates andextend to the opposite one of the first and second plates forelectrically insulating adjacent portions of the conductors from eachother. In one embodiment, the insulating means includes a first flangeformed on the first plate and extending toward the second plate when thefirst and second plates are joined together. A second flange is formedon the second plate and extends toward the first plate when the firstand second plates are joined together. The first and second flanges onthe first and second plates, respectively, are positioned so as to bedisposed in close proximity to each other when the first and secondplates are joined together to form a barrier between portions of theelectrical conductors disposed adjacent to the first and second plates.

The watthour meter mounting apparatus of the present invention alsoincludes a terminal cover which is releasably mountable over theterminal portion of the first plate. Means are provided for releasablymounting the terminal cover to the terminal portion on the first plate.The releasable mounting means preferably includes a pin mounted on andextending outward from the terminal portion of the first plate. A leg isformed on the outer end of the pin and extends laterally of the pin. Anaperture is formed in the terminal cover so as to slidably receive thepin therein when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portionof the first plate. A flange is formed in the terminal cover within theaperture and extending a predetermined distance across the aperture. Theflange and the leg on the pin cooperate to provide a solid exteriorsurface blocking entry to the interior of the terminal portion of debriswhen the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the firstplate. Means are also provided for releasably locking the terminal coveron the terminal portion of the first plate.

In another embodiment, the housing is also formed of two releasablyattachable housing portions. A first housing portion has a plate withhollow receptacles formed thereon for receiving the jaw contactsattached to one end of the conductors. Angular extending side walls anda front cover filler extend from a lower portion of the plate to theterminal receiving portion of the housing.

The second housing portion also has a plate and an annular side wallextending from one side thereof. An angular discontinuity is formed inthe side wall. When the first and second housing portions are joinedtogether, the respective plates of the first and second housing portionsare spaced apart to form an interior cavity within the housing forreceiving the electrical conductors.

In this embodiment, a rim filler is formed on the plate of the firsthousing portion and is arcuately arranged and sized to fill thediscontinuity in the side wall of the second housing portion. A rimfiller extension is removably attached to the rim filler by means ofinterlocking projections and tabs formed on the rim filler and the rimfiller extension. Both of the rim filler and the rim filler extensionhave aligned slots formed therein which cooperate when the rim fillerextension is mounted on the rim filler to form openings extendingthrough the interconnected rim filler and rim filler extensions for thepassage of auxiliary wires from the first housing portion to theterminal mounting portion.

A ground surge ring is mounted on the first housing portion in proximitywith the annular side wall of the second housing portion. The groundsurge ring has an annular portion which terminates in a pair of mountingflanges which extend from opposite ends of the annular portion tooverlay the front cover filler of the first housing portion whichextends below the rim filler. Apertures are formed in the mountingflanges for receiving fasteners for attaching the ground surge ring tothe first and second housing portions. A flange extends perpendicularlyfrom one of the mounting flanges and passes through an aperture formedin a terminal cover. The perpendicular flange is located in proximity tothe rim filler extension to enable a single wire seal to be passedthrough an aperture in the perpendicular flange and an aperture in aflange on one end of a sealing ring to seal both the sealing ring andthe terminal cover.

The terminal cover is formed with opposed sides and a front wall whichhas an arcuate shaped rim edge. The rim edge of the terminal cover, whenthe terminal cover is mounted on the first housing portion, is disposedin proximity with an annular rim edge of the rim filler extension anddisposes the front wall of the terminal cover extending from the rimedge below the mounting flange of the rim filler extension to enable theplacement of a sealing ring and barrel lock thereon. In thisconfiguration, the barrel lock of the sealing ring closely overlays thefront wall of the terminal cover to prevent removal of the terminalcover from the first housing portion.

A pair of spaced channels are formed on opposite sides of the front wallof the terminal cover and open in a direction facing the terminalmounting portion of the housing to enable auxiliary wires from the firsthousing portion to pass therethrough to connections external of thehousing. The channels with or without supporting ribs also act as a stopmeans to limit the angular movement of the barrel lock on the sealingring to a minimal amount over the front wall of the terminal cover.

The front wall of the terminal cover, when the terminal cover is mountedon the first housing portion, is spaced from the front cover filler ofthe first housing portion to form a channel therebetween whichcommunicates with the apertures formed between the interconnected rimfiller and rim filler extension to enable auxiliary wires to pass fromthe first housing portion to the channels in the terminal cover.

In either embodiment of the present invention, the electrical conductorsconnected between the jaw contacts and the terminals may comprisepolygonal shaped bus bars. The bus bars are formed into predeterminedshapes so as to be spaced apart along their entire length from adjacentconductors and not to require external insulation.

The terminals preferably comprise a collar having first and secondspaced, axially extending first and second bores. An external electricalpower line or load conductor is secured in the first bore in the collarby means of fasteners extendible through the collar into engagement withone end of the external conductor. The second bore receives a first endof one of the bus bar conductors. Preferably, first and second opposedsteps are formed in the first end of the conductor to limit the lengthof insertion of the conductor into the collar. One of the steps alsolimits the length of insertion of the external power line or loadconductor into the first bore in the collar.

In either embodiment, the jaw contacts preferably comprise first andsecond contact clips which are spacably disposed in registry withopposite sides of the bus bar conductor. Biasing means are disposed inengagement with each of the first and second contact clips for biasingone end of each of the first and second contact clips toward each other.Means are provided for fixedly joining the first and second contactclips and the biasing means to the electrical conductor.

Preferably, the biasing means comprises first and second spring clipswhich are respectively disposed in registry with the first and secondcontact clips. Each of the first and second spring clips comprises aplate-like member having a planar central portion and a first endportion extending at a predetermined angle from one end of the centralportion. An intermediate portion extends at a predetermined angle froman opposite end of the central portion in the same direction as thefirst end portion away from the plane of the central portion. A secondend portion extends at a predetermined angle from the intermediateportion toward the plane of the central portion.

Likewise, each of the first and second contact clips comprises aplate-like member having a planar first end portion, an intermediateportion extending at a predetermined angle from the plane containing thefirst end portion and a second end portion extending at a predeterminedangle from an end of the intermediate portion. The angle of the secondend portion from the intermediate portion is selected so as to provide aminimal blade terminal insertion force. Preferably, the second endportion extends at a 15° angle from a plane extending through aconductor juncture formed between the second end portion and theintermediate portion and parallel to the plane containing the first endportion of each contact clip.

Either of the above-identified embodiments may also include additionalpotential contacts. The potential contacts are connected to the leadsextending from the potential coil(s) in the watthour meter and areloosely disposed in separate receptacles formed in the first plate ofthe housing. Such contacts are formed with two spaced legs extendingoutward from a base to which a potential lead is attached. In oneembodiment, one leg is formed of two spaced legs with an opposite leginterposed between the two spaced legs and extending outwardly in anopposite direction to form a slot for receiving the current leadtherein.

In another embodiment, an A to S type socket extender adapter includes ahousing having a base and an annular side wall extending outward fromone side of the base. A plurality of electrical jaw contacts are mountedon the base of the housing. Means are mounted in the housing forenclosing substantially all of the jaw contacts mounted therein and forallowing the blade terminals of an electrical apparatus, such as awatthour meter, to be releasably inserted into the jaw contacts. Theenclosing means comprises a hollow enclosure formed of an electricallyinsulating material with four sides, a solid end and an opposed open endwhich surrounds all of the jaw contacts mounted in the housing. Meansare provided for mounting the enclosure in the housing. A plurality ofapertures are formed in the enclosure, each aperture located adjacentone of the jaw contacts in the housing to allow insertion of a terminalof an electrical apparatus for watthour meter into a jaw contact in thehousing.

In yet another embodiment, the enclosure is in the form of a planar wallmountable on the base of the housing. A plurality of hollow receptaclesare formed on the wall and extend outward from the wall away from thebase of the housing. At least one aperture is formed in each receptaclefor receiving the terminal of an electrical device or watthour metertherethrough, the aperture being located adjacent one of the jawcontacts in the housing when the enclosure is mounted to the housing.

The present invention provides a unique watthour meter mountingapparatus containing a safety shield which completely surrounds allexposed portions of the jaw contacts mounted in a watthour socket,socket adapter or related device. The safety shield of the presentinvention prevents any inadvertent contact by a utility person with thecontacts during installation or removal of the meter from the socket orsocket adapter as well as any opportunity for a short circuit or fullfault to occur between two contacts which could result in a potentiallydangerous spark or flash between the jaws.

The first and second embodiments of the present invention containingfirst and second separably joinable plates or housing portions not onlyprovides the unique safety or flash shield characteristics describedabove, but, also, the electrical conductors extending between the lineand load terminals and the jaw contacts in the housing are completelyencased between the first and second plates. Since the jaw contactsattached to one end of the conductors are insertable into thereceptacles formed in the first plate, separate fixed mounting of thejaw contacts to the watthour meter mounting housing is eliminatedthereby reducing material costs and labor. Further, the conductors maybe installed without any external insulation since the dividers orbarriers formed on the first and second plates provide the necessaryelectrical insulation between adjacent conductors as well as the longflash distance required by electrical utility standards for watthourmeter apparatus.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a simple andexpedient means for providing a safety shield around the jaw contacts ina socket adapter or related watthour meter apparatus, such as a socketextender, for example, which encloses all of the exposed portions of thejaw contacts. The one large enclosure disclosed in one embodiment of thepresent invention which has a single large internal recess surroundingall of the jaw contacts is easily mounted within a watthour meter socketadapter, socket extender or socket. In the other embodiment in which aplurality of receptacles extend from a planar wall mountable within thesocket adapter or socket extender, the receptacles also enable the jawcontacts to be mounted within such electrical apparatus without the needfor separate fasteners, such as cotter pins, as employed in previouslydevised socket adapters or socket extenders. This results in a saferwatthour meter mounting apparatus as well as a watthour meter mountingapparatus having reduced manufacturing costs.

The unique conductor, jaw contact and terminal design of the presentinvention provides significant advantages over previously devisedconductor, jaw contacts and terminals employed in watthour meter socketadapters. The rigid bus bar used to form the conductors provides ahigher current carrying capacity than the previously employed solid orstranded wire conductors and is rigid enough to support contact push-inand pull-out force requirements thus eliminating the need to fasten thecontacts in the housing of the socket adapter. The unique jaw contactsformed of separate jaw clips provide a secure connection to a watthourmeter or other electrical apparatus. The separate spring clips engagingeach contact clip bias the contact clips toward each other for a secureconnection. This results in higher reliability and, due to thesimplified design of the contact clips and the spring clips, contributesto a reduced manufacturing cost for the watthour meter socket adapter.

Further, due to the angular end portion design of the contact clips andthe general elongated, linear extent of the contact clips, current flowfrom the electrical conductors to the end of the contact clips and fromthe contact clips to the blade terminals of a watthour meter insertedtherein is in the same direction. This prevents the generation ofopposing magnetic fields as in previously devised folded over jawcontacts so as to reduce resistance and heating and providing a morereliable connection between the jaw contacts and the blade terminals ofa watthour meter.

The spring clips and contact clips are fixedly secured to the bus barconductor by rivets thereby eliminating the need for labor intensive andcostly threaded fasteners and apertures as previously employed in socketadapters. The riveted connections also provide a more secure andreliable attachment of the jaw contacts to the conductors. In addition,the spring clips provide a unique dual function of maintaining pressureon the contact clips at their attachment to the bus bar conductor aswell as to the blade terminal when it is inserted into the contact clip.

Finally, the unique contact design having a generally planarconfiguration with a predetermined angular disposed end portionsubstantially reduces the insertion forces required to slidably insertthe blade terminals of a watthour meter into the jaw contacts. At thesame time, such contacts require less withdrawal forces to remove awatthour meter therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present inventionwill become more apparent by referring to the following detaileddescription and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a watthour meter mountingapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the watthour meter mountingapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first and second plates ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first plate shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 5--5 in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a partial, exploded, perspective view of the rim discontinuityfiller shown generally in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 7--7 in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a partial, exploded perspective view of the joining means usedto connect the first and second plates shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a partial, enlarged, exploded, perspective view of theterminal cover and terminal cover attachment means;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the electrical conductorsemployed in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and including a jaw contactand a line/load terminal;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 12--12 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 13--13 inFIG. 4 and showing the insulating barriers between two adjacentelectrical conductors;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an electrical watthour meter mountingapparatus having a safety shield according to another embodiment of thepresent invention mounted therein;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the flash shield shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of a prior art watthour metermounting apparatus jaw clip;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of prior art watthour meter mountingapparatus safety shield;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of another embodiment of a safety shieldaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 19--19 inFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of awatthour meter mounting apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of the rear housing portion of thewatthour meter mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 20 and illustrating theelectrical conductors, terminals and contacts mounted therein;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an electrical conductor, jaw contactand terminal employed in the apparatus shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, side elevational, cross sectional view of theconnection between an external conductor, the terminal and the conductorshown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an exploded, enlarged, side elevational view of one contactclip and one spring clip shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, end elevational view of the jaw contact shown inFIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a potential terminal block mountable inthe apparatus shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 27 is a exploded, side elevational view showing the mounting of apotential terminal in the terminal block shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the conductor and terminal shown inFIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a current terminalmountable in a current transformer type socket adapter;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged, perspective view of another embodiment of acurrent terminal;

FIG. 31 is a plan view of the current terminal shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 32--32 inFIG. 23;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the assembledwatthour meter mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 34 is a front elevational view of a lower portion of the assembledwatthour meter mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 20 with the terminalcover and a sealing ring and barrel lock mounted thereon;

FIG. 35 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 35--35 inFIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a front elevational view of a lower portion of the assembledwatthour meter mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 20, with another type ofsealing ring mounted thereon;

FIG. 37 is a cross sectional view generally taken through line 37--37 inFIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is a partial perspective view of the interconnection of the rimfiller and the rear housing portion shown in FIG. 20; and

FIG. 39 is a right end view of the current terminal shown in FIG. 30.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, there is depicted an electrical watthourmeter mounting apparatus such as a socket or socket adapter having aunique flash shield which completely covers all exposed portions of thejaw contacts which receive the blade terminals on a conventionalwatthour meter.

The present flash shield is usable with a wide variety of electricalwatthour meter apparatus, such as socket, socket adapters, socketextenders, etc. The following description showing a bottom connectedtype watthour meter socket adapter is provided by way of example only.As shown in FIG. 1, a polyphase socket and bottom connected meter tosocket meter adapter 10 receives a conventional, socket-type watthourmeter 12 is a push-in, snap-in connection. As is well known, thesocket-type watthour meter 12 includes a cover 14 which encloses theinternal mechanism and gages of the watthour meter 12. An annularmounting flange 16 extends radially outward from the base of thewatthour meter 12 and provides a mounting connection to the socketadapter 10, as described hereafter. A plurality of blade terminals 18,only two of which are shown in FIG. 1, are provided in a predeterminednumber and arrangement depending upon the type of electrical serviceprovided to a customer, i.e., single phase, three phase, etc. Bladeterminals 18 extend outward from the base of the watthour meter 12 andrespectively engage jaw contacts in the socket adapter 10, as describedhereafter.

As is also conventional, a sealing ring 20 is provided to releasablyenclose the mounting flange 16 of the watthour meter 12 and thecorresponding mounting flange on the socket adapter 10, as describedhereafter, to sealingly mount the watthour meter 12 on the socketadapter 10. The sealing ring 20 is in the form of an annular band havinga generally U-shaped cross section. The sealing ring 20 is sized tosealingly engage opposite sides of the mounting flange 16 on thewatthour meter 12 and the corresponding mounting flange on the socketadapter 10. A lock device, such as a seal ring lock 22 is provided onthe free ends of the sealing ring 20 for locking the ends of the sealingring 20 about the mounting flanges on the watthour meter 12 and thesocket adapter 10.

The socket adapter 10, by way of example only, is depicted as a bottomtype socket adapter having a watthour meter receiving portion denotedgenerally by reference number 24 and an adjacent terminal portion 26.The watthour meter receiving portion 24 surrounds the jaw contacts whichreceive the blade terminals 18 of a watthour meter 12. The terminalportion 26, as described in greater detail hereafter, provides terminalconnection to the electric utility company line conductors and thebuilding or residence load distribution network.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the socket adapter 10 is formed of a two parthousing consisting of a first or front portion 30 and a second or backportion 32.

The second or back portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is formed ofan electrically insulating material, such as a suitable plastic. Thesecond portion 32 includes a planar base or plate 34 having an annularside wall 36 extending outward from one surface thereof. The annularside wall 36 has a discontinuity 38 formed at a predetermined portionwhich extends over a predetermined angular extent of the side wall 36adjacent to the terminal portion 26 of the socket adapter 10. The sidewall 36 terminates in an radially extending, annular flange or mountingrim 40.

A pair of spaced, arcuate flanges 42 and 44 are formed intermediately onopposite sides of the base or plate 34 on planar side wall extensions 46and 48, respectively. The flanges 42 and 44 have an outer end spacedfrom the respective side wall extension 46 and 48 and provide matingengagement with a corresponding surface on the front portion 30, asdescribed hereafter, when the front and back portions 30 and 32 arejoined together.

Also formed on the back plate 34 are a number of pairs of cylindrical,hollow tubular posts. The first pair of posts denoted by referencenumber 50 are spaced from the intermediate flanges 42 and 44 and extendoutward from the base 34. A second pair of cylindrical posts 52 arespaced from the first pair of posts 50 at the approximate end of theside wall extensions 46 and 48. The first pair of posts 50 align withapertures formed in the front portion 30, as described hereafter, toreceive fasteners to join the front and back portions 30 and 32together. A third pair of elongated cylindrical posts 54 are also formedon the plate 34 and are alignable with corresponding apertures in thefront portion 30 to receive a barrel lock to lockably mount a terminalcover, described hereafter, on the socket adapter 10.

A plurality of pads 56 are formed on a lower portion of the plate 34 andare designed to support the line and load terminals mounted in the frontportion 30, as described hereafter. Finally, a pair of outwardlyextending flanges 58, each having a central aperture 60 formed therein,are formed on the plate 34 below the elongated pair of posts 54. Theflanges 58 are designed to receive joining clips mounted in the frontportion 30 to releasably join the front and back portions 30 and 32together, as described in greater detail hereafter.

A detailed construction of the front portion 30, shown generally in FIG.1, is depicted in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. As shown therein,the front portion 30 includes a base or plate 62 generally having anannular or circular shape. The base 62 is sized to slidably fit withinthe annular side wall 36 of the back portion 32 of the socket adapter10. A cylindrical sleeve 63 is mounted in an aperture at the top portionof the base 62 and has a hollow bore extending therethrough. The bore isalignable with a bore 65 in a hanger pad 67 mounted at the top of thebase 34 of the back portion 32. A fastener, not shown, is insertablethrough the aligned bores to mount the adapter 10 on a wall or othersupport surface. A conventional hanger, also not shown, may also beused.

A pair of flanges 64 and 66 are integrally formed with and extend fromopposite sides of the annular base 62 away from the base 62. A frontfiller 68 extends between the flanges 64 and 66 immediately below theannular base 62 and is integrally formed with the flanges 64 and 66.

A first pair of apertures 70 are formed in the front filler 68 and arealignable with the first pair of cylindrical posts 50 on the backportion 32. A second pair of apertures 72 are also formed in the frontfiller 68, spaced from the first pair of apertures 70. The first pair ofapertures 70 are alignable with the first pair of cylindrical posts 50in the back portion 32 and receive suitable fasteners, such as screws,therethrough to releasably join the front and back portions 30 and 32 ofthe socket adapter 10 together and to mount the adapter 10 on a wall orother support surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side flanges 64 and 66 include anintermediate, annular shoulder 74 which is designed to slidably engagethe exterior surface of the first pair of cylindrical posts 50 on theback portion 32 to align the front and back portions 30 and 32. The sideflanges 64 and 66 expand at a lower portion of the front portion 30 toform the terminal portion 26 of the socket adapter 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a pair of apertures 78 are formed in the terminalportion 26 and are alignable with the elongated cylindrical members 54in the back portion 32. The aperture 78 and the elongated pair ofcylindrical members 54 are designed to receive barrel locks toreleasably mount a terminal cover on the front and back portions orplates 30 and 32, as described hereafter.

A plurality of dividers 80 are arranged in parallel with the sideflanges 64 and 66 in the terminal portion 26 of the front portion 30.The dividers 80 are joined to a generally horizontally extending wall 82which extends between the side flanges 64 and 66. A second wall 84 alsoextends between the side flanges 64 and 66 and is spaced from the firstwall 82. The dividers 80 and the spaced walls 82 and 84 form a pluralityof cavities 88, shown in FIGS. 1-3, in which are mounted hollowcylindrical posts 86 which open to the interior of each cavity 88. Openapertures or slots 90 are formed in the second wall 84, one for each ofthe cylindrical posts 86. The slots 90 open to the cavity 88 behind eachcylindrical post 86. As shown in the rear view of the front plate 30 inFIG. 4, small, angled flanges 92 are formed on each divider 80 adjacenteach cavity 88 to form mounting surfaces for receiving a terminal, asdescribed hereafter, in each cavity 88. As is conventional, theterminals, shown in FIG. 11 and described in greater detail hereafter,receive a power line conductor or building load conductor through theslot 90 in the wall 84. A fastener associated with each terminal is openthrough each cylindrical post 86 to allow the line or load conductor tobe secured joined to each terminal.

A pair of opposed recesses 96 are formed on opposite sides of the sideflanges 64 and 66. The recesses 96 receive a suitable joining means,such as a clip 98 therein, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 8.Each clip 98 has a pair of spaced legs, one leg 100 of which terminatesin an outwardly extending tapered flange 102. Each clip 98 is orientedin the recess 96 such that the flange 102 is oriented toward the backplate 32 and snaps into and engages the aperture 60 in the flange 58 inthe base 34 of the back plate 32 as the front and back plates 30 and 32are forced together. The insertion of a pointed tool, such as ascrewdriver, from the back surface of the base 34 of the back portion 32will separate the flange 102 from the aperture 60 in the flange 58 torelease the clip 98 from the flange 58 and enable the front and backportions 30 and 32 to be separated.

It should be noted that each of the cylindrical posts 86 is aligned withone of the terminal paths 56 on the base 34 of the back plate 32 whenthe front and back portions 30 and 32 are joined together.

A second set of terminal posts 104 on the back portion 32 and thecylindrical post 106 on the front portions 30 are provided for receivingterminal connections for utility line potential.

As noted above, the annular side wall 36 on the back portion 32 isprovided with an angular discontinuity 38 adjacent the lower portionthereof as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the front portion 30 isprovided with a rim filler denoted generally by reference number 110.The rim filler 110 includes a first annular flange 112 which isintegrally formed with the base 62 of the front portion 30 adjacent alower angular portion thereof. The outer ends of the flange 112 areadapted to slidably engage the ends 114 of the annular side wall 36 ofthe back portion 32.

The rim filler 110 also includes a separable rim filler extension 116which has the same shape and size as the rim flange 112 and is designedto be releasably engaged with the rim flange 112. Means are provided forreleasably joining the rim filler extension 116 to the rim flange 112. Aplurality of tabs 118 are spaced along the rim flange 112, as shown inFIG. 6, and each include an outer projection 120 as shown in FIG. 7. Theprojections 120 engage recesses 122 formed in the rim filler extension116 to releasably lock the rim filler extension 116 to the rim flange112. Upward force on the tabs 120 will release the tabs 120 from therecesses 122 to enable the rim extension 116 to be separated from therim flange 112. As shown in FIG. 1, when the rim filler extension 116 isjoined to the rim flange 112, both the rim flange 112 and the rim fillerextension 116 completely fill the discontinuity in the annular side wall36 of the back portion 32 and complete the circumferential extent of theannular mounting flange 40 on the back portion 32 which releasablyreceives the mounting flange 16 on the watthour meter 12 and the sealingring 20, as shown in FIG. 1 and described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, and in greater detail in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, aterminal cover 120 is releasably mountable over the cylindrical posts 86mounted on the front plate 30 to prevent access to the line and loadterminal connections contained therein. The terminal cover 120 is in theform of a planar member having a peripheral flange. A pair ofupstanding, spaced ears 122 are formed on the upper portion of theterminal cover and cover the aperture 72 in the front plate 30 after thefasteners have been inserted through the aperture 72 into thecylindrical posts 52 in the back portion 32 to mount the adapter to thebuilding or support surface. An aperture 124 is formed in the front wall126 of the terminal cover 120 adjacent one side edge thereof. A pin 128is mounted on and extends outward from the lower portion of the frontplate 32 and terminates in a laterally extending arm 130 which extendsover the peripheral surface of the pin 128.

In use, the terminal cover 120 is oriented at an angle with respect tothe terminal portion 26 of the front portion 30 to enable the pin 128and the arm 130 to be slidably inserted through the aperture 124 in thefront wall 126 of the terminal cover 120. The opposite end of theterminal cover 120 is then lowered into engagement with the terminalportion 26 of the front portion 30. A short tab 132 is integrally formedwith the terminal cover 130 and extends inward from the outer side wallof the terminal cover 120 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The tab 132underlays a portion of the aperture 124 in the front wall 126 of theterminal cover 120 to close off any access to the interior of theterminal portion 26 of the front plate 30 behind the terminal cover 126and thereby prevent the entry of water or debris into the interior ofthe terminal portion 26.

Means are provided for releasably locking the terminal cover 120 to theterminal portion 26 of the socket adapter 10. As shown in FIG. 1, atleast one and preferably a pair of spaced cylindrical bosses 134 areformed on and extend outward from the front wall 126 of the terminalcover 120. The bosses 134 are aligned with the aperture 78 in the frontportion 30 and the tubular members 54 in the back portion 32 whichreceive a conventional barrel lock therein. Other terminal cover lockingmeans, such as a wire seal, may also be employed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the front and back portions 30 and 32 arejoined together as described above, an internal cavity 140 is formedbetween the facing surfaces of the base 34 of the back portion 32 andthe annular base 62 of the front portion 30. The cavity 140 receives aplurality of electrical conductors which connect the terminals mountedin the terminal portion 26 with jaw terminals mounted in a plurality ofreceptacles 142 integrally formed on and extending from the base 62 ofthe front portion 30. The number and spacing of the receptacles 142 inthe front portion 62 is selected to correspond to the number of jawcontacts required in the socket adapter 10. The number of receptacles142 may vary depending upon whether the socket adapter 10 is designedfor single phase, poly-phase or other watthour meter applications. Thus,the number of receptacles 142 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is to be considered asexemplary only.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 12, each receptacle 142 is integrallyformed with the base 62 of the front portion 30 and extends outward fromone surface of the base 62, away from the back portion 32. Eachreceptacle 142 is formed with an open end 144 which is disposed incommunication with and opens to the interior cavity 140 formed betweenthe front and back portions 30 and 32, respectively. Each receptacle 142also includes four side walls generally denoted by reference number 146and an upper or outer end wall 148 joined to the side walls 146 andopposed from the open end 144. An aperture 150 is formed in the outerwall 148 of each receptacle 142. At least two and preferably all foursides of the aperture 150 which is typically in the form of an elongatedslot are formed with inwardly angled or tapering edges 152 as shown inFIG. 12. The tapering edges 152 act to guide the blade terminal 18 of awatthour meter 12 through the aperture 150 and into engagement with ajaw contact denoted generally by reference number 166 which is looselyand removably disposed within the interior of the receptacle 142.

Each receptacle 142 is sized to receive at least one jaw contact. Asshown by way of example only, in FIG. 2, one of the receptacles denotedby reference number 154 is provided with an elongated, generallyrectangular shape with two slots 150 formed therein. This receptacle 154receives two jaw contacts in a side-by-side arrangement with an internalwall integrally formed with the side walls of the receptacle 154disposed therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and in greater detail in FIGS. 11 and 12, aplurality of electrical conductors 160, with six being shown in anexemplary embodiment, are mounted in the hollow cavity 140 formedbetween the base 62 of the front portion 30 and the base 34 of the backportion 32. Each of the conductors 160 is identically constructed,except for variations in length and angular arrangement. The length andangular arrangement of the conductors 160 places the conductors 160 in acommon, single plane in the cavity 140 between the front and backportions 30 and 32, with each conductor 160 spaced from adjoiningconductors as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each conductor 160 is preferablyformed of a solid, tubular member formed of an electrically conductivematerial, such as copper. Each conductor 160 has first and secondopposed ends 162 and 164 which are flattened so as to be engagable witha jaw contact 166 at a first end 162 and a terminal 167 at the secondend 164. The first and second ends 162 and 164 of each conductor 160 arejoined to a jaw contact 166 and a terminal 167 by suitable means, suchas by means of fasteners, i.e., screws 168, as shown in FIG. 4 or byother means, such as soldering, bolts and nuts, etc.

As shown in FIG. 11, the terminal 167 is conventionally constructed as afour-sided cubical member with an internal bore 170 extendingtherethrough. The second end 164 of a conductor 160 is inserted into thebore 170 in the terminal 167 and secured to the terminal 167 by means ofa threaded screw 172. The threaded screw 172 extends through the wall ofthe terminal 167 and enables an external electrical conductor, notshown, such as a power line conductor or a building load conductor, tobe inserted into the bore 170 in the terminal 167 and electricallyconnected to the second end 164 of the electrical conductor 160 by meansof the screw 172.

The first end 162 of each conductor 160 is fixedly connected to a jawcontact 166 as described above. By way of example only, and as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, each jaw contact 166 has a conventional shape formed ofa base 170, a pair of spaced side walls 172 and 174 extending from thebase 170, and a pair of inwardly extending legs 176 and 178 which formcontinuous extensions of the side walls 172 and 174, respectively. Theinwardly extending legs 176 and 178 form an expandable opening 180therebetween which is aligned with the aperture 150 in a receptacle 142on the front portion 30 for receiving the blade terminal 18 of awatthour meter 12 therein in a snap-in fit. A spring retainer element182 is mounted interiorly within each jaw contact 166 for biasing theends of the inwardly extending legs 176 and 178 together to insure asolid electrical connection between the jaw contact 166 and the matingblade terminal 18 of a watthour meter 12 shown in FIG. 1.

A threaded bolt 169 extends through aligned apertures in the first end162 of the conductor 160, the base 170 of the jaw contact 166 and a nut171 to retain such elements in a joined connection. The spring retainerelement 18 is loosely held in position by the end bolt 169 through anaperture in the bottom of the spring retainer element 182.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, barrier means are provided between adjacentportions of the conductors 160 disposed in the cavity 140 between thefront and back portions 30 and 32, respectively. The barrier meanspreferably is in the form of at least one divider member integrallyformed with and extending from the base 62 of the front portion 30 orthe base 34 of the back portion 32. In a preferred embodiment, as shownin FIG. 13, the barrier means 190 preferably comprises two dividermembers 192 and 194. One divider member 192 is integrally formed on andextends outward from the base 62 of the front portion 30. Thecorresponding divider member 194 is integrally formed on and extendsoutward from the base 34 of the back portion 32. When the front and backportions 30 and 32 are joined together, the divider members 192 and 194are disposed in close proximity to each other. The divider members 192and 194 may be disposed in registry. However, all that is necessary isthat the divider members 192 and 194 be in close proximity with eachother. Such an arrangement forms an elongated path between a conductor160 located adjacent to the divider member 194 and another conductor,not shown, located adjacent to the opposite divider member 192. Thisprovides the requisite flash distance required by electrical industrystandards. The use of the barrier means 190 also enables the electricalconductors 160 to be bare or without exterior insulation. This furtherreduces the cost of constructing the apparatus of the present invention.

In assembling the socket adapter 10, the plurality of electricalconductors 160, each having a jaw contact 166 and a terminal 167 mountedat opposite ends, are inserted into the back of the base 62 of the frontportion 30, with one of the jaw contacts 166 being loosely disposed inone of the receptacles 144 in the base 62 and the terminal 167 mountedin one of the cavities 88 in the terminal portion of the front portion30. The front portion 30 is then joined to the back portion 32, with theclips 98 engaging the mating aperture 60 and the flanges 58 on the base34 of the back portion 32. In this arrangement, the conductors 160 andthe attached jaw contacts 166 and terminal 167 are housed within thecavity 140 formed between the front and back portions 30 and 32,respectively, without the need for additional fasteners previouslyemployed in socket adapters to fixedly mount the jaw contacts and theterminal blocks to the back plate or base of the socket adapter housing.At the same time, the base 62 and the receptacles 142 on the frontportion 30 cooperate to form a shield with the adjoining walls of theback portion 32 and the annular side wall 36 of the back portion 32 tocompletely surround substantially all of the exposed portions of the jawcontacts 166, except for the narrow slot 150 in each receptacle 142which allows a blade terminal of the watthour meter 12 to be insertedinto contact with the jaw contacts 166. This forms a shield completelyaround the jaw contacts 166 and the conductors 160 which prevents anyinadvertent contact by the utility employee with such conductors and jawcontacts, which may be carrying potential, during installation orremoval of a watthour meter 12 into and from the socket adapter 10. Atthe same time, the shield prevents any short circuits or faults betweenadjacent jaw contacts or conductors caused by a tool or screwaccidentally contacting two contacts or by the meter blade terminalstouching the line jaw contacts and the edge ground strip duringinstallation of the meter which could create a spark and possibly damagethe socket adapter 10 and/or injure any nearby utility personnel.

After the socket adapter 10 has been mounted on a suitable wall or othersupport surface at a building or residential site, the electricalutility power line conductors and the building distribution loadconductors are attached to the appropriate terminals 167. The terminalcover 120 is then mounted on the terminal portion 26 of the front plate30 and locked in place by conventional sealing means. The socket adapter10 is then ready to receive a watthour meter 12 and a sealing ring 20 ina conventional manner. Alternately, the meter 12 can be mounted in theadapter 10 before the adapter 10 is mounted on a wall. Then, theconductors are connected to the terminals and the terminal cover mountedon the adapter 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 26, 27 and 28, there is depicted potentialterminals 240 and a potential terminal block 242 which may be employedin the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 14 to mount thepotential terminals 240 in the adapter 10. The terminal block comprisesa housing 244 formed of an electrically insulating material and has apair of outwardly extending flanges 246 which receive suitable fastenersto mount the housing 244 to the bottom of the socket extender 200. Thehousing 244 is formed with a plurality of spaced dividers 248 which arealternately connected on opposite ends by end walls 250. The dividers248 and end walls 250 form a series of co-linear slots in each of whicha potential terminal 240 is mounted in a snap-in connection.

Instead of the separate terminal block 242, the housing 244 with thedividers 248 and end walls 250 may be integrally formed or molded aspart of the base 205 of the adapter 200 shown in FIG. 14.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 27 and 28, each potential terminal240 includes a pair of spaced jaw contacts 252 and 254 which are formedas extensions of a pair of spaced side walls 256 and 258, respectively.A slot 253 divides each contact 252 and 254 into two separate contact orjaw fingers. The contacts 252 and 254 are formed with sharp edges whenstamped from a blank. This creates a self wiping action when a bladeterminal, which has a width greater than the length of the contacts 252and 254, is inserted into and removed from the contacts 252 and 254.

The side walls 256 and 258 are interconnected by an end wall 260 whichhas a perpendicular quick connect tab or flange 262 extending therefromfor receiving a fast-on connector. Optionally, an aperture 263 is formedin the tab 262 for receiving a self-tapping screw, not shown, to attacha conductor to the tab 262. A wire crimp collar 264 is integrally formedon the end wall 260 interiorly between the side walls 256 and 258 and isdesigned to be crimped around one end of a potential wire 266. Theopposite end of the wire 266 has a conventional terminal 268 attachedthereto to provide a connection to the potential terminals, not shown,in the terminal portion of the socket adapter 200.

Each terminal 240 is designed to snap into the housing 244 of theterminal block 242 by means of a pair of mounting tabs 270 extendingfrom each of the side walls 256 and 258. The mounting tabs 270 snap intosuitably designed aperture formed in the housing 244 to retain theterminal 240 in the housing 244.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a plurality of hollowreceptacles 272 are formed on the first plate 62 of the housing. Thereceptacles 272 are similar to the receptacles 142 described above forthe jaw contacts of the socket adapter, but are smaller in size so as toloosely receive one of the potential terminals 240 therein. Eachreceptacle 272 has a slot formed therein which is alignable with andopens to the jaw contact portions 252 and 254 of each potential terminal240 to allow the insertion of a blade similar to, but smaller than blade18 through the slot into contact with the jaw contacts 252 and 254 ofeach potential terminal 240. In this mounting arrangement, the potentiallead 266 is disposed rearward of the plate 62 and is completely enclosedbetween the plate 62 and the plate 34 of the two housing portions of thesocket adapter housing.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is depicted another embodimentof a safety shield for use with a watthour meter apparatus. A watthourmeter socket extender 200 is depicted in FIG. 14 and includes aplurality of jaw contacts 202, only two of which are illustrated forpurposes of clarity. It will be understood that the socket extender 200shown in FIG. 14 is by way of example only as the safety shield to bedescribed hereafter may be usable with other types of watthour meterapparatus, such as socket adapters, watthour meter sockets, etc.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, a safety shielddenoted generally by reference number 204 is mounted within the socketextender 200 and in engagement with a bottom wall 205 of the socketextender 200. As shown in FIG. 14, the safety shield 204 is surroundedby the annular side wall 207 of the shell portion of the socket extender200.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 15, the safety shield 204 is in the formof a housing formed with side walls 206 and a closed front wall 208. Theback of the housing of the safety shield 204 is open. The safety shield204 is preferably molded of a plastic material in a single piece housingwith a single, large, hollow, interior cavity in which the jaw contacts202 of the socket extender 200 are disposed when the safety shield 204is mounted on the bottom wall 205 of the socket extender 200.

Mounting means in the form of a plurality of outwardly extending flanges210, each having one or more apertures 212 formed therein, areintegrally formed with the housing of the safety shield 204 and extendoutward from an edge of some or all of the side walls 206 of the safetyshield 204. The apertures 212 receive suitable fasteners, such as screwsor plastic rivets 214, shown in FIG. 14, to securely mount the safetyshield 204 on the bottom wall 205 of the socket extender 200.

A plurality of apertures, such as narrow slots 216, are formed in atleast the front wall 208 of the housing of the safety shield 204. Thenumber and location of the apertures 216 are selected to correspond tothe number and location of the jaw contacts 202 in the socket extender200. The apertures 216 may be provided only in the front wall, but mayalso extend a short distance into the adjoining side wall 206 as shownin FIG. 15.

When the safety shield 204 is mounted to the bottom wall 205 of thesocket extender 200 by means of fasteners extending through theapertures 212 and the mounting flanges 210, the apertures or slots 216will be aligned with the jaw contacts 202 in the socket extender 200thereby providing a narrow opening which allows the insertion of theblade terminals 18 of a watthour meter 12 or other electrical apparatus,such as a socket adapter, through the apertures 216 and into contactwith the jaw contacts 202. However, the safety shield 204 completelysurrounds all of the remaining portions of the jaw contacts 202 in thesocket extender 200 thereby providing safety and/or a flash shield whichprevents any inadvertent contact with the jaw contacts 202 which may becarrying potential. In addition, the housing holds the jaw contacts 202in place thereby eliminating the need for cotter pins.

Another embodiment of the safety shield of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The safety shield 220 shown therein functionsin the same manner as the safety shield 204 described above and shown inFIGS. 14 and 15 in that it is mountable in an electrical watthour meterapparatus, such as a socket extender 200, by means of fastenersextending through mounting flanges formed on the safety shield 220.However, the safety shield 220 shown in FIG. 18, instead of forming asingle large hollow recess, includes a solid, planar wall 222 which isadapted to be disposed in registry or close proximity with the base 205of a socket extender 200 or other electrical watthour meter apparatus. Aplurality of mounting flanges 228, each having an aperture 226 therein,are integrally formed with and extend outward from at least two andpreferably all four sides of the planar wall 222. A plurality ofreceptacles 226 are integrally formed in and extend outward from theplanar wall 222. Each receptacle 228 is formed with adjoining side wallsand an outer end wall and is sized to receive at least one or moreadjacent disposed jaw contacts 202. Thus, each receptacle 228 completelysurrounds one or more jaw contacts housed within the socket extender200. A narrow slot 230 is formed in each receptacle 228 to allow forinsertion of a blade terminal 18 of a watthour meter 12 or otherelectrical apparatus therethrough into connection with the jaw contacts202.

The safety shield 220 described above could also be molded directly as apart of the bottom wall 205 of the shell portion of the socket extender200 shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the receptacles 228 shown inFIG. 19 would be formed as part of the bottom wall 205 of the shellportion shown in FIG. 14 and would extend outward from the bottom wall205 of the shell portion. The receptacles 228 function in the samemanner as the receptacles 142 and 272. As the socket extender 200 has abase 201 connected to the shell, the jaw contacts 202 would be looselydisposed in the receptacles 228 and the cavity between the shell andbase 201 of the socket extender 200. This would eliminate the need foradditional fasteners, such as cotter pins, to attach the jaw contacts202 to the shell or base 201 as previously used in such socket extenders200.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-25 and 33, 34 and 35, there is depictedanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,reference number 310 depicts a polyphase A to S watthour meter socketadapter. The adapter 310 is formed of a two-part housing including arear housing portion 312 and a front housing portion 314.

The rear housing portion 312 is formed with a planar base 316. Anannular side wall 318 is integrally formed with and extendssubstantially perpendicularly from the base 316. The annular side wall318 terminates in an angular discontinuity formed by side ends 320 and322. Flanges 324 and 326 extend outward from the side ends 320 and 322,respectively, and are spaced therefrom to form mounting grooves for therim filler described hereafter.

An annular rim 319 is formed at one edge of the annular side wall 318.An annular recess 321 may optionally be formed in the rim 319 forreceiving a ground surge wire. Lower side walls 328 and 330 dependangularly from the side ends 320 and 322 of the side wall 318 to abottom edge of the rear housing 312. A pair of hollow cylindricalmembers 332 are mounted integral with the lower side walls 328 and 330to aid in aligning the front housing portion 314 to the rear housingportion 312.

In addition, a pair of spaced generally cylindrical members 334 and 336of differing diameters are formed on the side of each of the lower sidewalls 328 and 330 and form alignment, support and interlock surfaces forthe front housing portion 314 as described hereafter.

A plurality of spaced divider members all denoted generally by referencenumber 339 are formed on the base 316 and receive individual electricalconductors therebetween. The dividers 339 electrically insulate adjacentelectrical conductors from each other in the same manner as describedabove for the dividers 194 and 196. Although the dividers 339 aredepicted as being formed completely on the base 316 of the rear housingportion 312, it will be understood that the dividers 339 may take otherforms, such as being integrally formed on a rear surface of the fronthousing portion 314 or as complimentary, mating members individuallyformed on the front and rear housing portions 312 and 314 in the mannerdescribed above and shown in FIG. 13.

Conductor terminal support surfaces 414 are formed in a lower portion ofthe base 316 for supporting electrical terminals thereon.

A metal hanger 410 is mounted on a rear surface of the base 316 formounting the socket adapter 310 to a support surface in a conventionalmanner. A threaded boss 412 is formed on the base 420 for receiving afastener to attach the hanger 410 through an aperture 460 formed in therear housing portion 316 of the rear housing 312 as described hereafter.

The front housing portion 314 is formed as a one-piece, integrallymolded member of an electrically insulating material, such as a suitableplastic. The front housing portion 314 can be formed of a transparentplastic to enable the location and connections of the conductorsdisposed behind the front housing portion 314 to be easily viewed. Thefront housing portion 314 includes a generally circular shaped, planarbase 420. A plurality of hollow pockets or receptacles 422 areintegrally formed on and extend outward from one surface of the base420. As the receptacles 422 are identically formed and function in thesame manner as the receptacles 142 described above in detail in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the description of the shape, formand function of such receptacles 422 will not be described, except tonote that each receptacle 422 is designed to mount a terminal attachedto an electrical conductor therein and includes a slot for slidablyreceiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter or other electricalapparatus inserted into the adapter 310.

A pair of spaced mounting flanges 424, only one of which is shown inFIG. 20, extend from the base 420 of the front housing portion 314 andare engageable with the flanges 324 and 326 formed at the ends 320 and322, respectively, of the side wall 318 of the rear housing portion 312.In this position, the mounting flanges 424 overlay a portion of thelower side walls 328 and 330 of the rear housing portion 312. A pair ofarcuate, generally cylindrical recesses 426 and 428 are formed in eachmounting flange 424 and are sized to matingly surround the cylindricalmembers 334 and 336 on the rear housing portion 312 to fixedly supportand locate the front housing portion 314 to the rear housing portion 312in a round dovetail like joint. A lower side wall 430 extends from thelowermost arcuate member 428 on each side of the first housing portion314 to a bottom edge of the front housing portion 314.

A front cover filler 432 extends below the base 420 of the front housingportion 314 to a terminal block portion 434. The terminal block portion434 extends outward from the front cover filler 432 and terminates in apair of raised side walls 436 and 438 on opposite sides of the lowerportion of the front housing portion 314. A pair of annular supportmembers 440 are mounted in the side walls 436 and 438 and are alignablewith the cylindrical bosses 332 in the rear housing portion 312 so as toreceive mating and location pins 507 on terminal cover 500 as describedhereafter.

A plurality of spaced dividers 442 extend outward from the terminalmounting base 444 and provide location for the terminals 350 alsodescribed hereafter. A plurality of aligned pairs of cylindrical, hollowtubular members 446 are mounted on the terminal mounting base 444 forproviding access to the screw fasteners on the terminals mounted betweenthe front and rear housing portions 314 and 312, as also describedhereafter.

A surge ground conductor 450 is mountable over the base 420 of the fronthousing portion 314 and is disposed within the annular side wall 318 ofthe rear housing portion 312 after the front housing portion 314 hasbeen joined to the rear housing portion 312. The surge ground conductor450 includes an annular ring 452 which terminates at opposed ends in apair of tapered fingers 454. Also, a pair of depending mounting flanges456 extend from a rear edge of the annular ring 452 and includeapertures which are alignable with corresponding apertures 458 on thefront cover filler 432 for receiving fasteners to attach the surgeground conductor 450 to the front housing portion 314. One fastenerextends through the uppermost aperture on each mounting flange 456 andone of the apertures 458 into the cylindrical member 334 in the rearhousing portion 312 to secure the front and rear housing portions 314and 312 together. Another fastener is extendable through each loweraperture in each mounting flange 456 and an aperture 458 in the fronthousing portion 314 and through the cylindrical member 336 to mount thesocket adapter 310 to a wall or other support surface.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 20, a depending apertured flangeis centrally formed at an upper portion of the annular ring 452 and isalignable the threaded boss 412 in the top upper portion of the base 420of the front housing portion 314.

As also shown in FIGS. 20 and 33, an outwardly extending flange 462 isformed on one depending flanges 456 of the surge ground conductor 450and includes an aperture 464.

As shown in FIG. 20, and in greater detail in FIGS. 33 and 35, a rimfiller denoted generally by reference number 470 is formed on the base420 of the front housing portion 314 and is positioned to fill theangular discontinuity between the side edges 320 and 322 of the annularside wall 318 of the rear housing portion 312 when the front housingportion 314 is mounted in the rear housing portion 312. The rim filler470 extends substantially perpendicularly from a lower portion of thebase 420 and includes a plurality of angularly spaced tabs 472, 474, and476 which are angularly spaced apart to form open ended slots alldenoted by reference number 478 therebetween.

Pointed tabs 480 are formed on the rim filler tabs 472, 474, and 476 tomate with corresponding slots 482 formed on a rim filler extension 484.As shown in FIGS. 20, 33 and 35, the rim filler extension 484 includesan arcuate portion 486 sized to fill the annular discontinuity in theannular side wall 318 of the rear housing portion 312. A plurality ofinward extending, spaced tabs 488 are formed in the arcuate portion 486and are spaced apart to form open ended slots 489 therebetween whichalign with the slots 478 in the rim filler 470 when the rim fillerextension 484 is mounted on the rim filler 470 by means of theinterlocking projections 480 and tabs 482. A pair of mounting arms 490extend outward from opposite ends of the arcuate portion 486 andinterlock with the flanges 324 and 326 of the rear housing portion 312to align the rim filler extension 484 with the rear housing portion 312.

As shown in FIG. 38, the outer ends 491 of the arcuate portion 486 areformed with a narrow projection 493 which extends outward from eachouter end 491. Each projection 493 slidably engage a mating slot 495formed in each side end 320 and 322 of the annular side wall 318 of therear housing portion 312. In addition, a ledge 497 on each end 491 ofthe rim filler extension 484 engages a similar ledge 499 on each sideend 320 and 322 of the annular side wall 318 to limit insertion of therim filler extension 484 into the annular side wall 318.

The slots 478 and 489 formed between the rim filler 470 and the rimfiller extension 484 are disposed adjacent to the base 420 of the fronthousing portion 314 and provide openings through which auxiliary wiresconnected to electronic circuits in a watthour meter mounted in thesocket adapter 310 or from current terminals or other terminals mountedin the socket adapter 310 to pass from the front housing portion 314 tothe terminal portion, and from the terminal portion, as describedhereafter, externally from the adapter 310.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 35, the rim filler extension 484 includesa peripheral flange 492 extending radially outward from the annularportion 486. The flange 492 has a recessed shoulder 494 formed at anouter peripheral edge thereof. When the rim filler extension 484 isattached to the rim filler 470, the peripheral flange 492 on the rimfiller extension 484 is spaced from the front cover filler 432 to forman opening 496 therebetween for passage of the auxiliary wires extendingfrom the front housing portion 314 through the openings formed betweenthe slots 478 and 490 in the rim filler 470 and the rim filler extension484.

A terminal cover denoted generally by reference number 500 in FIGS. 20,34 and 35 is mountable over the terminal portion 444 of the fronthousing portion 314. The terminal cover 500 includes a front wall 516and a pair of side walls 502 and 504. The side walls 502 and 504 slideover the lower side walls 328 and 330 of the rear housing portion 312. Acylindrical boss 506 is formed in each side wall 502 and 504 forsurrounding alignment with one of the tubular members 332 formed in theside walls 328 and 330 of the rear housing portion 312. A pin 507 ismounted internally and concentrically within each boss 506. The pins 507are typically hollow tubular members which taper toward the rear edge ofthe terminal cover 500. The pins 507 extend through the annular supportmembers 440 and the cylindrical members 332 when the terminal cover 500is mounted on the front housing portion 314 and are perpendicular to thesurface of the front housing portion 314 to restrict partial removal ofthe terminal cover 500 from the front housing portion 314.

An arcuate edge formed on the front wall 516 extends between the sidewalls 502 and 504 and has an inward extending flange 512 extendingtherefrom. The edge 510 engages the shoulder 494 in the rim fillerextension 484, as shown in FIG. 35.

A pair of raised channel sections 514 are integrally formed on theterminal cover 500 and extend outward from the front wall 516 of theterminal cover 500. Channel portions 514 are hollow and form an interiorcavity 517 which opens to a cavity between the front wall 516 and thefront cover filler 432 for the passage of the auxiliary wires throughthe terminal cover 500 in front of the terminals mounted behind thefront housing portion 314. Ribs 518 may optionally be mounted on thefront wall 516 of the terminal cover 500 and extend angularly from oneend of each channel portion 514. The channel portions 514 and/or theoptional ribs 518 function as stops to limit the amount of angularmovement of a barrel lock 520 mounted on a sealing ring 522 used tolockingly mount a watthour meter in the socket adapter 310.

In this mounting position, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the innermostsurface 524 of the barrel lock 520 is located in close proximity with oreven in registry with the front surface 516 of the terminal cover 500.This securely retains the terminal cover 500 on the front housingportion 314 after the barrel lock 520 and seal ring 522 has been mountedabout the mating mounting flanges 526 of a watthour meter andcorresponding mounting flange 486 formed on the rim filler extension484. At the same time, the barrel lock 520 and seal ring 522 may only berotated a limited angular amount before the barrel lock 520 contacts oneof the channel portions 514 or the ribs 518 on the terminal cover 500.This prevents any excessive angular movement or rotation of the sealring 522 in an unauthorized attempt to remove the sealing ring 522 orterminal cover 500 from the adapter 310.

In addition, a slot 530 is formed along one edge of the terminal cover500 adjacent to the side wall 504 and is alignable with the outwardlyextending flange 462 on the surge ground conductor 450. The aperture 464in the flange 462 may be employed to receive a conventional wire seal,not shown, which extends through raised flanges formed on the seal ring522 to lockingly attach the seal ring 522 to the adapter 310 and toprovide an indication of any unauthorized tampering or attempted removalof the sealing ring 522 from the adapter 310.

As shown in FIG. 36, a sealing ring 540 may also be mounted on mountingflange 486 and a mating mounting flange 526 of a watthour meter. Thesealing ring 540 is of conventional construction and includes spacedends which are brought into engagement when the sealing ring 540 ismounted on the mating mounting flanges. A flange 542 extending outwardfrom one end of the sealing ring 540 passes through a slot in the otherend of the sealing ring 540. At least one aperture 544 is formed in theflange 542. Due to the close proximity of the flange 462 on the surgeground conductor 450 with the rim filler extension 484, a conventionalseal 546, such as a lead wire seal, may be used to sealingly connect theflange 462 and the flange 542 on the sealing ring 540 to provide anindication of any tampering or unauthorized removal of the sealing ring540 from the adapter. A wire 548 is passed through the aperture 464 inthe flange 462 on the surge ground conductor 450 and the aperture 544 inthe flange 542 on the sealing ring 540 before the ends of the wire 548are lockingly crimped into the lead slug 550.

This arrangement enables a single seal to be used with both the sealingring 540 and the terminal cover 500 and eliminates the need for twoseparate seals, one for the sealing ring and one for the terminal cover.

When the front and rear housing portions 314 and 312 are joinedtogether, the base 420 of the front housing portion 314, the base 316 ofthe rear housing portion 312, and the hollow receptacles 422 formed onthe base 420 of the front housing portion 314 cooperate to form a safetyshield which substantially, except for the slots in the receptacles 422,surrounds and encloses the conductors, the jaw contacts and theterminals in the adapter 310.

According to the present invention, a plurality of electricalconductors, all generally depicted by reference number 340 in FIGS.21-23 and 25, are mounted in the adapter 310, between the base 420 ofthe front housing portion 314 and the base 316 of the rear housingportion 312. Although the conductors 340 are shown as being mounted inthe adapter 310 shown in FIG. 21, it will be understood that suchconductors 340 may also be employed in the first embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1.

Preferably, the conductors 340 comprise a rigid electrical conductorwhich is in the form of a bus bar. Generally, each conductor 340 has apolygonal cross section, i.e., rectangular, square, etc., withrectangular being preferred and depicted in FIGS. 21-23 and 32. Eachconductor 340 is bent into predetermined angular sections, as shown inFIG. 21, so as to be spaced from adjacent conductors by a sufficientdistance to prevent any flash or spark from passing therebetween. Thiseliminates the need for electrical insulation on the exterior of the busbar-type electrical conductors 340. However, some such bus bar typeconductors 340 can also be used in a conventional socket adapter, incertain applications without a flash shield, exterior insulation may berequired.

However, it will be understood that an insulating barrier means 190formed of one or more divider members 192 and 194, as described aboveand shown in FIG. 13, may also be formed on the base 316 and/or the base420 and disposed between adjacent portions of the conductors 340.

The contacts 370 and terminals 350 are arranged in the adapter 310 inthe conventional watthour meter adapter positions. As shown in FIG. 21,the topmost row of contacts 370 are in contact positions 1, 9 and 3,starting from the left edge in the orientation shown in FIG. 21. Contactposition 8 between contact positions 9 and 3 is empty in this exemplaryembodiment. The second or lower row of contacts 350 are mounted inpositions 2, 10, 7 and 4, again starting from the left edge. Theconductors 340 are formed so as to interconnect the various contacts tothe terminals 350 in the standard terminal portions starting from theleft end in FIG. 21. Thus, the contacts in positions 1, 9 and 3 arerespectively connected to the first three terminals 350 starting fromthe left edge in FIG. 21. Another conductors 340 connect the contact inposition number 2 to the leftmost or eighth terminal 350 and the contactin position number 4 to the sixth terminal 350 all in line from the leftedge of the terminals in FIG. 21. The contact in position number 7 isconnected by a small, non-bus bar conductor to a jumper bus-barconductor 341 connected to the fourth and fifth terminals.

Each conductor 340 is arranged in the socket adapter 310 with itslongest dimension oriented in alignment with the longest cross sectionaldimension of the blade terminals 18 of a meter 12 when the meter 12 isinserted into the adapter 310. Each conductor 340 has first and secondsteps 346 and 348, respectively, which are formed by a reduced crosssection or necked down first end portion 342 on each conductor 340.

A terminal 350 is slidably inserted over the first end 342 of eachconductor 340. As shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 32, each terminal 350 is inthe form of an elongated, block-like collar having an upper portion 352with a first through bore 354 extending therethrough. Each terminal orcollar 350 also has a second lower portion 356 with a second bore 358extending therethrough. The first and second bores 354 and 358 are openin communication with each other.

At least one and preferably a pair of threaded apertures 360 are formedin and extend through the upper portion 354 of the terminal 350 intocommunication with the first bore 354. Suitable fasteners 362, such asscrews, are threaded through the apertures 360 into engagement with oneend of a external electrical conductor 364 which is one of theelectrical line or load conductors connected to the bottom-type adapter310. The fasteners 362 fixedly connect the external conductor 364 to theterminal 350 and the electrical conductor 340 attached thereto. The useof two fasteners 362 provides increased contact force over a greaterlength between the conductors 364 and 340 to compensate for the narrowwidth of the conductor 340. Since the narrow thickness of the bus bartype conductors 340 contacts the conductor 364, the longer connectionlength between the conductors 340 and 364 and the use of two fasteners362 provides sufficient contact surface area for increased currentcarrying capability. In addition, the top edge of each conductor 340extends above the bottom of the upper portion 352 a short distance, suchas 0,015 inches, to provide increased pressure on the conductor 340.

As shown in FIG. 23, the first step 346 formed in the first end 342 ofthe electrical conductor 340 acts as a stop in that when the electricalconductor 340 is mounted in the terminal 350, the first step 346 limitsthe length of insertion of the external electrical conductor 364 throughand partially out from the first bore 354 in the terminal 350. Likewise,the second stop 348 abuts the end of the lower portion 356 of theterminal 350 and acts as a stop to limit the length of insertion of thefirst end 342 of the electrical conductor 340 into the terminal 350.

A jaw contact denoted generally by reference number 370 is fixedlymounted on the second end 344 of each conductor 340. The unique jawcontact 370 of the present invention is formed of first and secondseparate, contact clips 372 and 374 which are mounted on opposite sidesof the major surfaces of the first end 344 of each conductor 340. Asshown in FIGS. 24 and 25, each of the first and second contact clips 372and 374 is formed with a first, generally planar, flat end portion 376having at least one and preferably a plurality of apertures 378 formedtherein. The apertures 378 are alignable with corresponding aperturesformed in the first end 344 of each conductor 340.

A first intermediate portion 380 is formed on each contact clip, such ascontact clip 374, and disposed at a predetermined angle from the endportion 376. The first intermediate portion 380 is bent out of the planecontaining the flat end portion 376 generally at an angle ofapproximately 15° with respect to the plane containing the end portion376. A second intermediate portion 381 disposed at an angle ofapproximately 5° with respect to the plane containing the end portion376. Each contact clip, such as contact clip 374, terminates in an outerend portion 382 which is disposed at an angle substantially 15° or lesswith respect to a plane extending through a blade terminal contact point384 formed between the end portion 382 and the intermediate portion 381and lying generally parallel to the plane containing the end portion 376of the contact clip 374.

As shown in FIG. 22, a slot 386 is formed in each contact clip 372 and374 and extends from the outer end portion 382 to a closed endapproximate the flat end portion 376. The slot 386 divides each contactclip 372 and 374 into two finger-like contact portions.

Means are provided for biasing each contact clip 372 and 374 toward eachother with sufficient force to releasably and securely hold a bladeterminal 18 of a watthour meter 12 or other electrical devicetherebetween in a secure electrical connection. The biasing meanspreferably comprises first and second spring clips 390 and 392,respectively. One spring clip is provided for each contact clip. Eachspring clip 390 and 392 is formed of a suitable biasing material, suchas SAE1060 spring steel which is heat treated to 42-44Rc and then coatedwith a corrosion resistant material such as zinc.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, each spring clip, such as spring clip 390,is formed with a flat, central portion 394. At least one and preferablya pair of apertures 396 are formed through the juncture of the centralportion 394 and an angled first end 395 and alignable with the apertures378 in the contact clips 372, 374 and the bores in the first end 344 ofthe conductor 340. Rivets 398 are mountable through the alignedapertures to fixedly connect the spring clips 390 and 392 and thecontact clips 372 and 374 to the first end 344 of each conductor 340.

The first end 395 of each spring clip, such as spring clip 390, is bentor otherwise formed at a predetermined angle from the central portion394. In a preferred embodiment, the first end is disposed at an angle ofapproximately 15° from the central portion 394. When the spring clip 390is mounted in engagement with the contact clip 374, the first end 395first engages the flat end portion 376 of the contact clip 374. Thecentral portion 394 of the spring clip 390 will initially be spaced fromthe contact clip 374 until the rivet 398 forcibly urges and deforms thefirst end 395 of the spring clip 390 into engagement with the contactclip 374 bringing the central portion 394 of the spring clip 390 intoregistry with the flat end portion 376 of the contact clip 374. Thisincreases the biasing force exerted on the first end 395 of the springclip 390 to form a secure connection between the contact clips 372 and374 and the mating first end 344 of the conductor 340 insertedtherebetween.

Each spring clip 390 and 392 further includes a second intermediateangled portion 400 which extends from an opposite end of the centralportion 394. The second angled portion 400 is also disposed at apredetermined angle from the plane containing the central portion 394.Preferably, this angle is substantially 15° from the plane containingthe central portion 394. Finally, each spring clip, such as spring clip390, is formed with an angularly disposed second end portion 402 whichis disposed at an angle of approximately 30° from the juncture of thesecond end portion 402 and the second angled portion 400. This juncturepoint 404 forms a contact point in which the spring clip 390 forciblyengages the contact clip 374.

As noted above, the mounting of the rivets 398 through the alignedapertures in the contact clips 372, 374, the spring clips 390, 392 andthe first end 344 of the conductor 340 deforms the spring clips 390 and392 into forced engagement with the contact clips 372 and 374. Thisincreases the closure force urging the contact clips 372 and 374together so as to enable the contact clips 372 and 374 to form a secureconnection with a blade terminal 18 of an electrical device, such as awatthour meter 12, inserted therebetween. The use of rivets 398 with thespring clips 390 and 392 provides a more reliable, dynamic and securemounting of the jaw contact 370 on the conductor 340 as compared to theprior art method of securing jaw contacts to the conductors by means ofthreaded fasteners which are static with regard to construction andmaterial and frequently loosen due to material creep caused by time andtemperature changes.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 25, each jaw contact 370 has, aside from theangular portions, a generally elongated, planar shape. This comparesadvantageously with the prior art construction of folded over jawcontacts. The predetermined angular disposition of the outer ends 382 ofthe contact clips 372 and 374 at an angle of substantially 15° or lesswith respect to the juncture of the outer end portions 382 and theimmediately adjacent angled portion 381, minimizes the amount of forcerequired to insert the blade terminals of a watthour meter or otherelectrical device into electrical connection with the jaw contacts 370.At the same time, the amount of force required to separate the bladeterminals from the jaw contacts 370 is also reduced as compared to priorart watthour meter jaw contact constructions since the jaw contacts 370do not tend to pull inward toward each other during the removal of theblade terminal therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 37, the terminals 350 are mounted in the terminalportion of the adapter 310, with each terminal 350 disposed between apair of dividers 442. In this mounting arrangement, the threadedfasteners 362 face outward as per FIG. 23 to attach an electrical lineor load power conductor to each terminal 350.

As also shown in FIG. 37, a pair of short terminal dividers 415 and 417are integrally formed on the base 316 of the rear housing portion 312and extend outward therefrom on opposite sides of each terminal supportsurface 414. Each pair of short terminal dividers 415 and 417 are spacedapart to receive and locate the second lower position 356 of a terminal350. In addition, each pair of short terminal dividers 415 and 417 isdisposed between two adjacent longer dividers 442 on the front housingportion 314. The lengths of the dividers 442, 415 and 417 are chosensuch that one short divider 415 or 417 of each pair of short terminaldividers cooperates with one of the short dividers 417 or 415 of theadjacent pair of short dividers to form a slot 419 therebetween whichreceives the end of a longer divider 442 therebetween. This arrangementforms an enlarged insulation barrier between adjacent terminals 350.Further, since only the longer dividers 442 surround the upper portionof each terminal 350, the upper portion of each terminal 350 may beenlarged as compared to the smaller lower portion 356 thereof to receivea larger diameter external conductor 364.

The conductors 340 extend in a predetermined angular arrangement,usually different for each conductor 340, from its associated terminal350 to its associated jaw contact 370. The jaw contacts 370 attached tothe first end 344 of each conductor 340 are loosely disposed in one ofthe hollow receptacles 422 formed in the base 420 of the front housingportion 314, with the opening between the jaw contact clips 372 and 374substantially aligned with the slot in the receptacle 422 so as toslidably receive the blade terminal 18 of a watthour meter 12 or otherelectrical device therein.

A plurality of current contacts are alternately mountable in thereceptacles 142 or 422 and are each connectible to the current leads ofa current transformer, not shown, which is mounted in or external to thesocket adapter housing. A first embodiment of such a current contact 274is depicted in FIG. 29. In this embodiment, the current contact 274includes a pair of angularly bent side walls 276 and 278 which terminatein a pair of oppositely, outwardly extending end portions 280 and 282,respectively. A base 284 interconnects the opposite ends of the sidewalls 276 and 278. A lead crimp collar 286 is integrally formed with thebase 284 and extends therefrom for receiving the end of a current wire288 which is connected to terminals in the terminal portion of theadapter. The opening between the ends 280 and 282 of each currentcontact 274 is alignable with the slot 150 in one of the receptacles 142so as to slidably receive an external lead therethrough. However, inthis mounting arrangement, the side walls and the end wall of eachreceptacle 142 substantially encloses all of the current contact 274 toprovide a safety or flash shield completely thereabout.

Another embodiment of a current contact usable in the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 30, 31 and 39. In this embodiment, the current contact290 comprises a planar end 292 from which extends a wire crimp collar294. The collar 294 receives the end of a current lead 288. A pluralityof jaws extends from the end portion 292. A first jaw is formed ofspaced legs 296 and 298 which have the same angularly bent shape andterminate in end portions 300 and 302, respectively, which are disposedat an approximate 15° angle with respect to the main extent of each leg296 and 298 and which extend outward in a first direction from the planein which the end portion 292 lays. The legs 296 and 298 are spaced apartand have an intermediate leg 304 interposed therebetween. The leg 304 isformed with a curved position 305 extending from the planar end 292 anda planar, angularly disposed outer end portion 306 which extends outwardin an opposite direction with respect to the plane in which the endportion 292 lays from the end portions 300 and 302 of the legs 296 and298. The legs 296, 298 and 304 combine to form a jaw contact forreceiving an external lead therein.

As shown in FIG. 39, the intermediate leg 304 is formed to be moreflexible than the legs 296 and 298. This is preferably achieved byforming the leg 304 of a smaller width than the width of the legs 296and 298. In addition, the end portion 306 of the leg 304 is preferablydisposed at an approximate 15° angle from the plane of the planar endportion 292. The curved portion 305 extends from the juncture 307 of theportions 305 and 306 at an angle of greater than 15° from the plane ofthe end portion 292. This provides a low blade terminal insertion forceand a higher pull out force.

The juncture 307 on the intermediate leg 304 acts as a detent when itengages a center aperture 303 in a blade terminal 301 inserted into thecurrent contact 290 as shown in FIG. 39. The resiliency of the leg 304enables the leg 304 to flex or bend sufficiently to receive or allow thewithdrawal of the blade terminal 301, while lockingly retaining theblade terminal 301.

In summary, there has been disclosed a unique electrical watthour meterapparatus having a unique safety shield which completely surrounds allof the exposed portions of the jaw contacts mounted within theelectrical watthour meter mounting apparatus. The safety shield may beformed as part of a two-part socket adapter in which a number ofreceptacles are formed in the base of a front housing portion to looselyreceive the jaw contacts attached to one end of an electrical conductor.Besides providing the desired safety and flash shield features, thisconstruction also enables the jaw contacts to be mounted in the socketadapter without the need for fasteners or other fixed connectionspreviously used to mount such jaw contacts on the base of the socketadapter. In another embodiment, the safety shield is provided as aseparate component mountable to the base of the housing of an electricalwatthour meter apparatus, such as a socket adapter, socket extender oreven a watthour meter socket itself. This safety shield is provided withone large internal hollow receptacle or a number of separate smallerhollow receptacles, all designed to completely enclose the jaw contactsmounted in the housing while allowing the slidable insertion of a bladeterminal of a watthour meter through an end wall of each receptacle intothe jaw contact housed therein.

The unique construction of the conductors mounted in the adapter of arigid bus bar increases the current capacity of the conductors. Inaddition, a uniquely designed jaw contact formed of separate contactclips is fixedly mounted by means of rivets to one end of eachconductor, with the contact clips biased toward each other by means ofseparate spring clips, also riveted to the conductors, to form areliable, dynamic, secure electrical connection between the jaw contactsand the mating blade terminals of an electrical apparatus insertedtherebetween and to the conductor to which the spring clips and contactclips are mounted. At the same time, the elongated, separateconstruction of the jaw contacts substantially reduces the bladeterminal insertion and withdrawal forces as compared to folded over jawcontact designs commonly employed in watthour meter adapters.

What is claimed is:
 1. A watthour meter socket adapter for use with awatthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals, the socket adaptercomprising:a housing, the housing including:a watthour meter receivingportion; and a terminal portion spaced from the watthour meter receivingportion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminalportion of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted inthe watthour meter receiving portion of the housings each contactreceiving one blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-inconnection; a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the terminalportion of the housing and receiving one of an external electrical powerline conductor and an electrical load conductor connected to an externalload; electrical conductors connected to and extending between onecontact and one terminal in the housing; and means, formed in thehousing, for covering substantially all of the electrical conductors andthe electrical contacts in the housing, the covering means including thewatthour meter receiving portion formed of first and second plates andan annular sidewall extending between the first and second plates, thefirst and second plates being spaced apart to define a cavitytherebetween, the electrical conductors and the electrical contactsbeing disposed in the cavity and substantially enclosed by the first andsecond plates and the annular sidewall.
 2. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 1 wherein:the housing is formed of an electricallyinsulating material.
 3. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1wherein the covering means further comprises:a plurality of hollowreceptacles formed in the first plate and extending outward from thefirst plate, the interior of the receptacles opening to the cavitybetween the first and second plates; at least one of the plurality ofelectrical contacts being disposed in each receptacle; and an apertureformed in each receptacle for receiving a terminal of a watthour metertherethrough into electrical contact with the electrical contactdisposed within the receptacle.
 4. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 3 wherein:each electrical contact is loosely disposed in areceptacle.
 5. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 3 wherein eachreceptacle comprises:a plurality of joined side walls extending from thefirst plate and terminating in an outer end wall; the joined side wallsand the end wall forming a hollow receptacle therebetween for receivingan electrical contact therein; and the aperture being formed in the endwall.
 6. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 5 wherein:at leastcertain edges of the end wall surrounding the aperture tapering inwardfrom the exterior surface of the end wall toward the aperture.
 7. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 3 wherein:each receptacle haswalls extending from the first plate; and at least one of the wallshaving an angled edge tapering from the exterior surface of thereceptacle toward the aperture.
 8. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 1 further comprising:means for releasably joining the first andsecond plates together.
 9. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 8wherein:the terminal portion of the housing includes first and secondterminal portions extending integrally from the first and second platesrespectively; the joining means comprising:a pair of flanges formed onthe second terminal portion, each having an aperture formed therein; anda pair of clips mounted in the first terminal portion, each clip havingan end flange releasably engagable with the aperture in the flange onthe second terminal portion.
 10. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 1 further comprising:the annular wall formed on and extendingoutward from the second plate; a discontinuity formed in the annularwall and extending over a predetermined angular extent of the wall; thediscontinuity and the side wall being disposed adjacent a terminalreceiving portion of the first plate; and annular flange means formed onthe terminal portion of the first plate for forming a continuousextension of the side wall and filling the discontinuity in the sidewall when the first and second plates are joined together.
 11. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 10 wherein the annular flangemeans comprises:a first annular flange integrally formed with the firstplate adjacent the terminal portion of the first plate; a second annularflange releasably engagable with the first annular flange, the first andsecond annular flanges completely filling the discontinuity in the sidewall; and means for releasably joining the first and second annularflanges together.
 12. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1wherein each electrical contact comprises:a jaw contact formed of abase, a pair of side walls extending from the base and a pair of inwardand downwardly extending legs extending from the side walls, the legsforming a slot therebetween for receiving a blade terminal of a watthourmeter in a snap-in connection; and further including one end of theelectrical conductors being fixedly connected to the base of the jawcontact, the other end of the electrical conductors being connected toone of the electrical terminals.
 13. The watthour meter socket adapterof claim 1 wherein:the plurality of electrical conductors are disposedin one plane between the electrical contacts and the electricalterminals.
 14. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 13 furthercomprising:means, formed in at least one of the first and second plates,for electrically insulating adjacent conductors from each other, theelectrically insulating means including a first flange formed on one ofthe first and second plates and extending toward the other of the firstand second plates when the first and second plates are joined together.15. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 14 wherein the electricalinsulating means further comprises:a second flange formed on the otherof the first and second plates and extending toward the one of the firstand second plates when the first and second plates are joined together;and the first and second flanges being disposed in close proximity toeach other when the first and second plates are joined together to forma barrier between adjacent electrical conductors.
 16. The watthour metersocket adapter of claim 15 wherein:outer ends of the first and secondflanges are spaced from the opposed ones of the first and second plates;and the first and second flanges are spaced from each other to form anelongated path between electrical conductors disposed adjacent to eachof the first and second flanges.
 17. The watthour meter socket adapterof claim 15 further comprising:a plurality of pairs of first and secondflanges formed on the first and second plates, each pair of first andsecond flanges electrically insulating two of the plurality of adjacentelectrical conductors from each other.
 18. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 14 wherein:the plurality of electrical conductorscomprise bare conductors.
 19. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim1 wherein the terminal portion comprises:a plurality of spaced dividersformed on the first plate; and a cavity formed between two adjacentdividers for receiving one of the plurality of electrical terminalstherein.
 20. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 19 furthercomprising:a plurality of pairs of short terminal dividers formed on andextending outward from the second plate, each pair of short terminaldividers being spaced apart to receive a lower portion of an electricalterminal therebetween; one short terminal divider of each pair of shortterminal dividers being spaced from one short terminal divider of anadjacent pair of short terminal dividers to form a slot therebetween andreceiving one end of one of the dividers on the first plate therein. 21.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 20 wherein the terminalscomprise:a collar having first and second portions integrally formed asa one-piece, unitary member; the first portion having a first throughbore extending therethrough sized to receive an external electricalconductor therein; means for securing an external electrical conductorin the first bore of the collar; the second portion having a secondthrough bore extending therethrough for slidably receiving a first endof the electrical conductor, the second bore disposed in communicationwith the first bore; the second portion being smaller in width than thefirst portion; the short terminal dividers receiving the second portionof one of the terminals therebetween.
 22. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 19 further comprising:a plurality of hollow, tubularbosses formed on the first plate and extending outward from the cavitieson the first plate, the tubular bosses opening to the cavities.
 23. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 22 further comprising:inwardextending flanges formed on each end of the dividers for releasablyretaining one of the plurality of electrical terminals between twoadjacent dividers.
 24. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 22further comprising:a terminal cover mounted over and covering the endsof the tubular bosses on the first plate; and means for releasablymounting the terminal cover on the first plate.
 25. The watthour metersocket adapter of claim 24 wherein the releasable mounting meanscomprises:a pin mounted on and extending from the first terminal portionof the first plate; a leg mounted on an outer end of the pin andextending laterally of the pin; an aperture formed in the terminalcover; a flange formed on the terminal cover extending a predetermineddistance across the aperture; and the flange and the leg on the pincooperating to provide a solid surface on the terminal cover coveringthe aperture when the terminal cover is mounted over the pin.
 26. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 24 further comprising:means forreleasably locking the terminal cover on the first section of theterminal portion.
 27. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1wherein the electrical conductors are polygonal shaped bus bars eachhaving a rectangular cross section formed of two major exterior surfacesof a first length and two minor end exterior surfaces of a secondsmaller length, the two major exterior surfaces of the electricalconductors being co-planarly aligned with the axial extent of the bladeterminals of a watthour meter insertable into the housing.
 28. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 27 wherein the bus bars arerigid.
 29. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 27 wherein theterminals comprise:a collar having first and second portions integrallyformed as a one-piece, unitary member; the first portion having a firstthrough bore extending therethrough sized to receive an externalelectrical conductor therein; and means for securing an externalelectrical conductor in the first bore of the collar.
 30. The watthourmeter socket adapter of claim 29 wherein the terminals furthercomprise:the second portion having a second through bore extendingtherethrough for slidably receiving a first end of the electricalconductor, the second bore disposed in communication with the firstbore.
 31. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 29 wherein thesecuring means comprises:an aperture formed in the first portion of thecollar; the fastener threadingly extendible through the aperture intoengagement with an external conductor inserted into the first bore inthe first portion of the collar.
 32. The watthour meter socket adapterof claim 29 wherein the securing means comprises:a pair of spaced,co-axial apertures formed in the first portion of the collar; a fastenerthreadingly extendible through each aperture into engagement with anexternal electrical conductor inserted into the first bore in the firstportion of the collar.
 33. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 30wherein:a height of the first end of the electrical conductor is greaterthan a height of the second bore in the collar such that an upperportion of the first end of the electrical conductor extends into thefirst bore in the collar.
 34. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim29 wherein the electrical conductor has a first step spaced from thefirst end and engageable with the second portion of the collar to limitthe length insertion of the conductor into the second bore of thecollar.
 35. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 34 wherein theconductor has a second step spaced from the first end of the conductor,the second step extending transversely with respect to the end of thefirst through bore in the first portion of the collar, when theconductor is mounted in the collar, to limit the length of insertion ofan external electrical conductor through the first bore in the collar.36. A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter havinga plurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising:a housing,the housing including:a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminalportion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality ofelectrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; aplurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receivingportion of the housing, each contact receiving one blade terminal of awatthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electricalterminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receivingone of an external electrical power line conductor and an electricalload conductor connected to an external load; electrical conductorsconnected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in thehousing, each electrical conductor having opposed side surfacesextending co-planarly with an axial extent of a blade terminal of awatthour meter; each of the electrical contacts including:first andsecond spaced, separate contact clips, each having a first end portiondisposed in registry with one of the side surfaces of one of theelectrical conductors and a second jaw portion; biasing means,engageable with an outer surface of each of the first and second contactclips, for biasing the jaw portion of each of the first and secondcontact clips toward each other; and means for fixedly joining the firstand second contact clips and the biasing means to each of the electricalconductors; and means, formed in the housing, for covering substantiallyall exposed surfaces of the electrical conductors and the electricalcontacts in the housing.
 37. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim36 wherein each of the first and second contact clips furthercomprises:the second jaw portion being integral and continuous with thefirst end portion and bending in a first direction from the first endportion and then in a second direction toward a plane containing thefirst end portion.
 38. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 36wherein the first and second contact clips each comprise:a plate-likemember having a planar first end portion, an intermediate portionextending at a predetermined angle from the plane containing the firstend portion; and a second end portion extending at a predetermined anglefrom an end of the intermediate portion.
 39. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 38 wherein:a conductor contacting edge is formed at thejuncture of an end of the intermediate portion and the second endportion of each of the first and second contact clips.
 40. The watthourmeter socket adapter of claim 38 wherein:the second end portion extendsat an angle less than or equal to substantially 15° from a planeextending parallel to a plane containing the first end portion andthrough the juncture of the end of the intermediate portion and thesecond end portion of each of the first and second contact clips. 41.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 38 wherein the biasing meanscomprises:first and second spring clips, respectively disposed inregistry with the outer surface of the first and second contact clips.42. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein the first andsecond contact clips each comprise:a plate-like member having:a planarcentral portion; a first end portion extending at a predetermined anglefrom one end of the central portion; an intermediate portion extendingat a predetermined angle from an opposite end of the central portion inthe same direction away from a plane containing the central portion asthe first end portion; and a second end portion extending at apredetermined angle from an end of the intermediate portion toward theplane containing the central portion.
 43. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 42 wherein the first end portion is at a substantially15° angle with respect to the central portion.
 44. The watthour metersocket adapter of claim 43 wherein the intermediate portion is at asubstantially 15° angle from the central portion.
 45. The watthour metersocket adapter of claim 44 wherein the second end portion is at asubstantially 30° angle from the end of the intermediate portion. 46.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein:a slot is formedin each of the first and second spring clips extending from the secondend portion to the central portion and dividing the second end and theintermediate portions into two spaced portions.
 47. The watthour metersocket adapter of claim 41 wherein the joining means comprises:alignedapertures formed in the second end of the electrical conductor, thefirst and second spring clips and the first and second contact clips;rivets fixedly mounted in the aligned apertures to force the centralportion and the first end portion of the first and second spring clipsinto substantial registry with the first and second contact clips,respectively, and the first and second contact clips into registry withopposed surfaces of the second end of the electrical conductor toforcibly bias the first and second spring clips into engagement with thefirst and second contact clips, respectively, to urge the second endportions of the first and second contact clips toward each other. 48.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 further comprising:meansfor joining the first and second spring clips and the first and secondcontact clips, respectively, to the second end of each conductor. 49.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein:the first plate isformed of a transparent material.
 50. A watthour meter socket adapterfor use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade adaptercomprising:a housing formed of first and second plates, each of thefirst and second plates being formed of an electrically insulatingmaterial; means for releasably joining the first and second platestogether; each of the first and second plates having a watthour meterreceiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; the watthour meterreceiving portion of the first and second plates being spaced apart whenthe first and second plates are joined together to form a cavitytherebetween; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted between theterminal portions of the first and second plates; a plurality ofelectrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion ofthe first plate, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of awatthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electricalconductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one ofthe electrical terminals and completely disposed in the cavity betweenthe watthour meter receiving portions of the first and second plates; aside wall formed on and extending from one of the first and secondplates and substantially completely surrounding the cavity and theelectrical contacts and the electrical conductors disposed therein whenthe first and second plates are joined together; terminal cover means,mounted on the terminal mounting portion of the first plate, forcovering the electrical connections of the electrical terminals in thehousing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to externalelectrical conductors; and means for releasably joining the terminalcover to the terminal mounting portion of the first plate.
 51. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 further comprising:a pluralityof hollow receptacles formed in the first plate and extending outwardfrom the first plate, the interior of the receptacles opening to thecavity between the first and second plates; at least one of theplurality of electrical contacts being disposed in each receptacle; andan aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a terminal of awatthour meter therethrough into electrical contact with the electricalcontact disposed within the receptacle.
 52. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 51 wherein each receptacle comprises:a plurality ofjoined side walls extending from the first plate and terminating in anouter end wall; the joined side walls and the end wall forming a hollowreceptacle therebetween for receiving an electrical contact therein; andthe aperture being formed in the end wall.
 53. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 51 wherein:at least certain edges of the end wallsurrounding the aperture tapering inward from the exterior surface ofthe end wall toward the aperture.
 54. The watthour meter socket adapterof claim 51 wherein:each receptacle has walls extending from the firstplate; and at least one of the walls having an angled edge tapering fromthe exterior surface of the receptacle toward the aperture.
 55. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein the joining meanscomprises:at least one flange formed on the terminal portion of thesecond plate, the at least one flange having an aperture therein; atleast one clip mounted on the terminal portion of the first plate, theat least one clip having an end flange releasibly engagable in a snapengagement with the aperture in the flange on the second plate.
 56. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein the releasiblymounting means comprises:a pair of flanges formed on the terminalportion of the first plate, each having an aperture formed therein; anda cylindrical boss mounted on and extending outward from each side ofthe terminal portion of the second plate, each cylindrical boss having athrough bore alignable with the aperture in the flange on the terminalportion of the first plate.
 57. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 56 wherein:a mounting pin is mounted on and extends outward fromeach side of the terminal cover, each pin releasably engagable with thealigned aperture in the first plate and the cylindrical boss in thesecond plate.
 58. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 furthercomprising:the annular wall formed on and extending outward from thesecond plate; a discontinuity formed in the annular wall and extendingover a predetermined angular extent of the wall; the discontinuity inthe side wall being disposed adjacent a terminal receiving portion ofthe first plate. a pair of spaced first annular flanges integrallyformed with the first plate adjacent the terminal portion of the firstplate; a second annular flange releasably engagable with the pair offirst annular flanges, the first and second annular flanges completelyfilling the discontinuity in the side wall; and means for releasablyjoining the pair of first annular flanges and the second annular flangetogether.
 59. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 58 wherein thereleasible joining means comprises:the second annular flange has opposedside ends; the annular wall on the second plate having opposed sideends; and mating interconnectible tongue and groove formed on the sideends of the second annular flange and the second plate.
 60. The watthourmeter socket adapter of claim 58 wherein the terminal cover comprises:afront wall with spaced integral side walls extending therefrom; and anarcuate edge formed on the front wall between the spaced side walls, thearcuate edge overlapped with the second annular flange when the terminalcover is mounted on the terminal portion of the first plate.
 61. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 58 wherein the means forreleasibly joining the pair of first annular flanges and the secondannular flanges comprises:the pair of first annular flanges including aplurality of spaced slots opening outwardly from the first plate; andthe second annular flange including a plurality of spaced slotsalignable with the slots in the pair of first annular flanges when thesecond flange is mounted on the pair of first annular flanges to formapertures opening between the watthour meter receiving portion and theterminal portion of the first plate.
 62. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 61 wherein the terminal cover includes:a front wall andintegrally spaced side walls extending therefrom, the side wallsmountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; thefront wall of the terminal cover being spaced from the first plate whenthe terminal cover is mounted on the first plate to form an openingtherebetween communicating with the apertures formed by theinterconnected pair of first annular flanges and the second annularflange.
 63. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 62 wherein:aradially extending flange extending perpendicularly from the secondannular flange; a recessed edge formed on a peripheral edge of theradially extending flange; the front wall of the terminal coverterminating in an annular edge, the annular edge seated on the recessededge.
 64. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 62 wherein theterminal cover further comprises:at least one raised portion formed onand projecting outward from the front wall of the terminal cover, theraised portion forming an interior channel opening toward the firstplate when the terminal cover is mounted on the first plate.
 65. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 64 wherein the terminal coverincludes a pair of spaced apart raised portions formed on the front wallof the terminal cover, each raised portion forming an interior channel.66. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein:the firstplate is formed of a transparent, electrically insulating material. 67.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein each electricalcontact comprises:a jaw contact formed of a base, a pair of side wallsextending from the base and a pair of inward and downwardly extendinglegs extending from the side walls, the legs forming a slot therebetweenfor receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-inconnection; and further including one end of each electrical conductorbeing fixedly connected to the base of the jaw contact, the other end ofeach electrical conductor being connected to one of the electricalterminals.
 68. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein:theplurality of electrical conductors are disposed in one non-overlappingplane between the electrical contacts and the electrical terminals andthe first and second plates.
 69. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 68 further comprising:means, formed in at least one of the firstand second plates, for electrically insulating adjacent conductors fromeach other.
 70. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 69 whereinthe electrical insulating means comprises:a first flange formed on oneof the first and second plates and extending toward the other of thefirst and second plates when the first and second plates are joinedtogether.
 71. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 68 wherein theelectrical insulating means comprises:a first flange formed on one ofthe first and second plates and extending toward the other of the firstand second plates when the first and second plates are joined together;a second flange formed on the other of the first and second plates andextending toward the one of the first and second plates when the firstand second plates are joined together; and the first and second flangesbeing disposed in close proximity to each other when the first andsecond plates are joined together to form a barrier between adjacentelectrical conductors.
 72. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 71wherein:outer ends of the first and second flanges are spaced from theopposed ones of the first and second plates; and the first and secondflanges are spaced from each other to form an elongated path betweenelectrical conductors disposed adjacent to each of the first and secondflanges.
 73. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 71 furthercomprising:a plurality of pairs of first and second flanges formed onthe first and second plates, each pair of first and second flangeselectrically insulating two of the plurality of adjacent electricalconductors from each other.
 74. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 71 wherein:the plurality of electrical conductors comprise bareconductors.
 75. A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthourmeter having a plurality of blade terminals and an annular mountingflange, the socket adapter comprising:a housing formed of first andsecond plates, each of the first and second plates being formed of anelectrically insulating material an annular wall extending from thesecond plate; means for releasably joining the first and second platestogether; each of the first and second plates having a watthour meterreceiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; the watthour meterreceiving portion of the first and second plates being spaced apart whenthe first and second plates are joined together to form a cavitytherebetween; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in theterminal portion of the first plate; a plurality of electrical contactsmounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the first plate, eachelectrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in asnap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connectedto one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminalsand completely disposed in the cavity between the watthour meterreceiving portions of the first and second plates; at least one firstannular flange integrally formed with the first plate adjacent theterminal portion of the first plate; a second annular flange releasablyengagable with the first annular flange, the first and second annularflanges completely filling the discontinuity in the side wall; means forreleasably joining the first and second annular flanges together; aterminal cover releasably mounted on the terminal mounting portion ofthe first plate and covering electrical connections of the electricalterminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing andto external electrical conductors; the terminal cover including a frontwall and integrally spaced side walls mountable over the terminalreceiving portion of the first plate; a sealing ring mountable about amounting flange formed on the annular side wall of the second plate andthe first and second flanges and a mounting flange on the watthourmeter, a lock means mounted on the sealing ring for locking the sealingring about the annular flange on a watthour meter and the mountingflange on the annular side wall an annular metallic ring mounted on thefirst plate adjacent to the annular wall extending from the secondplate, the annular metallic ring having an angular discontinuity formedbetween first and second spaced ends; and a flange carried on each ofthe first and second ends, the flange mountable on and attachable to thefirst plate.
 76. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 75 furthercomprising:a perpendicular flange formed on and extendingperpendicularly outward from one of the first and second ends of theannular ring; the perpendicular flange having an aperture formedtherein; the perpendicular flange located in proximity with the firstannular flange on the first plate and the second annular flange when theannular ring is mounted on the first plate and extending through a slotformed in the front wall of the terminal cover; the lock means on thesealing ring including a flange formed adjacent one end with an apertureformed therein; and a wire seal passable through the aperture in theperpendicular flange exteriorly of the terminal cover and an aperture ina flange on a sealing ring.
 77. An adapter mounted in a watthour metersocket having jaw contacts for receiving blade terminals of anelectrical apparatus therein in a snap-in connection, the adaptercomprising:a housing having a base and an annular side wall mounted onand extending outward from the base; a plurality of electrical contactsmounted in the housing, each electrical contact having a jaw contact endmatable with a blade terminal of an electrical apparatus and a terminalend matable with a jaw contact in a watthour meter socket; and means,mounted in the housing, for enclosing substantially all exposed frontand side surfaces of the contacts mounted therein and for allowing theterminals of an electrical apparatus to be inserted therethrough intothe jaw contact end, the means including:a front portion covering thejaw contact ends; and a side portion, integral with the front portionand covering sides of the jaw contacts, the side portion spaced from theannular side wall of the housing to allow mounting of an electricalapparatus in the housing.
 78. The adapter of claim 77 wherein theenclosing means comprises:a single hollow enclosure formed of anelectrically insulating material; a plurality of apertures formed in theenclosure, each aperture located to be disposed immediately adjacent oneof the jaw contacts in the housing and allowing insertion of a bladeterminal of an electrical apparatus therethrough into the jaw contact;and means for mounting the enclosure in the housing such that theenclosure surrounds substantially all exposed front and side surfaces ofthe jaw contacts in the housing.
 79. The adapter of claim 78 wherein themounting means comprises:a plurality of flanges integrally formed on andextending outward from the enclosure; the flanges disposed on the baseof the housing; and apertures formed in the flanges for receivingfasteners therethrough.
 80. The adapter of claim 78 wherein theenclosure comprises:a plurality of side walls, an open end, and anopposed end wall; the apertures being formed in at least the end wall;the open end of the enclosure disposed adjacent the base of the housingwhen the enclosure is mounted in the housing.
 81. The adapter of claim78 wherein the enclosing means comprises:a planar wall; means formounting the wall to the base of the housing; a plurality of hollowreceptacles formed on the wall and extending outward from the wall; andat least one aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a bladeterminal of an electrical apparatus therethrough, the aperture locatedadjacent one of the jaw contacts in the housing when the enclosing meansis mounted in the housing.
 82. The adapter of claim 81 wherein eachreceptacle comprises:a plurality of joined side walls and an end wall,the side walls and the end wall forming a hollow chamber surrounding atleast one jaw contact when the enclosing means is mounted in thehousing; and at least one aperture formed in the end wall of eachreceptacle.
 83. The adapter of claim 81 wherein the mounting meanscomprises:a plurality of flanges integrally formed on and extendingoutward from the planar wall; the flanges disposed on the base of thehousing; and apertures formed in the flanges for receiving fastenerstherethrough.
 84. The adapter of claim 77 wherein the enclosing meanscomprises:a plurality of hollow receptacles formed on the base of thehousing and extending outward from the base; the receptacles eachreceiving at least one jaw contact therein; and an aperture formed ineach receptacle for receiving a blade terminal of an electricalapparatus therethrough into contact with a jaw contact disposed in thereceptacle.
 85. The adapter of claim 84 wherein each receptaclecomprises:a plurality of joined side walls and an end wall, the sidewalls and the end wall forming a hollow chamber surrounding at least onejaw contact when the enclosing means is mounted in the housing; and atleast one aperture formed in the end wall of each receptacle.
 86. Awatthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having aplurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising:a housing,the housing including:a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminalportion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality ofelectrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; aplurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receivingportion of the housing, each contact receiving one blade terminal of awatthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electricalterminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receivingone of an external electrical power line conductor and an electricalload conductor connected to an external load; an electrical conductorconnected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in thehousing, the plurality of electrical conductors being bare conductorsand disposed in one plane between the electrical contacts and theelectrical terminals; and means, formed in the housing, for coveringsubstantially all of the electrical conductors and the electricalcontacts in the housing, the covering means including:a plurality ofhollow receptacles formed in the watthour meter receiving portion; atleast one of the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed in eachreceptacle; and an aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving aterminal of a watthour meter therethrough into electrical contact withthe electrical contact disposed within the receptacle.
 87. The watthourmeter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein:each of the first and secondspring clips has a planar portion adapted to register with one of thefirst and second contact clips, and a first end portion normallyangularly disposed from the planar portion, the first end portiondeformed into substantial co-extensive planar alignment with the planarportion when the fixedly joining means joins the first end portion ofeach of the first and second spring clips to the first and secondcontact clips.
 88. A watthour meter socket adapter for use with awatthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals and an annularmounting flange, the socket adapter comprising:a housing formed with awatthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; aplurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion; aplurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receivingportion, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of awatthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electricalconductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one ofthe electrical terminals, a terminal cover releasably mounted on theterminal mounting portion and covering electrical connections of theelectrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in thehousing and to external electrical conductors; the terminal coverincluding a front wall and integrally spaced side walls, the side wallsmountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; asealing ring mountable about a mounting flange formed on an annular sidewall of the housing and a mounting flange on a watthour meter mounted onthe housing, lock means carried on the sealing ring for lockinglymounting the sealing ring about the mating mounting flanges; and stopmeans, formed on the terminal cover, for limiting the amount of annularrotation of the lock means of the sealing ring over the terminal cover.89. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 88 wherein:the stop meanscomprises a pair of stops formed on the front wall of the terminalcover, the lock means movably disposed between the pair of stops. 90.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 88 wherein the stop meanscomprises:a raised portion formed integrally with the front wall of theterminal cover and extending outward therefrom.